Winegrower Bordeaux
Château Bernateau :A focus on vine and wine science
Near Saint-Emilion, in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, nestles a vineyard that produces silky, extremely well-balanced wines. In 2003, winegrowers Mr and Mrs Lavau handed over the management of this estate to a worthy successor, their youngest son, Pierrick Lavau. A qualified oenologist, Pierrick’s aim is to ensure the future of the estate’s total of 18 hectares, which lie on clay-limestone plateaus in Saint-Etienne-de- Lisse (Château Bernateau) and on clayey-sand and gravel soils in Saint-Sulpice de Faleyrens and Libourne (Château Tour Peyronneau). The wines of these two properties, both Great Growths, are starting to make a name for themselves….
High-tech, traceability… and one man’s passion
Pierrick Lavau has his own way of organising work in the vineyard. What a tremendous advantage for this estate to be able to count on the skill of a young professional who has gained his experience working as a consultant oenologist! High standards of quality, vineyard-plot selections, high-tech methods used in the vat house … Rather than introducing significant changes to the management of the estate, the new winegrower prefers to perfect technical aspects. As concerns rational vine growing methods, he is a member of PIVERT (integrated protection of vineyards which respect the environment), an incorporated production association that advocates the preservation of the ecosystem. Working on the grapes’ ripeness, Pierrick Lavau’s next aim is to double the number of vines planted per hectare in order to produce even finer, more delicate wines. Physics, biology, agronomy and science of the earth are the fields of research for this wine lover who hopes in the future to orient his viticulture towards organic methods and explore the solutions that nature itself provides. “The inherent characteristics of the soil and the vine are the elements which bestow a wine with its specific qualities. I perfect work carried out in each plot of the vineyard with the same technical approach.”
He also implements techniques that are widely used nowadays: grassing down, green harvests, creation of ecological niches… Wine-making at this estate remains traditional. Maturation for each variety is carried out separately to ensure the expression of the typical characteristics of each terroir.
Powerful, concentrated wines
“Our wines are naturally fruity. The specific characteristic of Château Tour Peyronneau is its epicurean style, which stems from airiness provided by the gravelly soils upon which it grows. It is a silky, powerful wine. More concentrated, Château Bernateau presents a greater amount of tannin and minerality”, explains Pierrick Lavau. Historically the spearhead, Château Bernateau’s production is sold for 80% on export markets and 20% in France, mainly to wine boutiques, restaurants and individual customers. Purchased recently, Château Tour Peyronneau sells 60% of its production in France (via the network of hyper- and supermarkets) and 40% on export markets.
Patience and time…
But recognition is gradually establishing itself. For its 2001 and 2002 vintages, Château Tour Peyronneau won medals at the ‘Japan Wine Challenge’ in Tokyo and at the ‘International Wine Challenge’ in London. The 2004 vintage was awarded a silver medal in Paris. Château Bernateau is frequently mentioned in the ‘Decanter’ magazine and the ‘Guide Hachette’, as well as in the ‘Guide Gerbelle & Maurange’ (RVF). Both these wines are also appreciated in the United States. The ‘Wine Spectator’ regularly gives ratings and in 2006 listed Château Tour Peyronneau 2005 amongst its discoveries.
Bolstered by all this success, all that young businessman Pierrick Lavau needs to do now is fine-tune his sales techniques in order to win over new markets in Asia, as well as in Poland, Belgium and Switzerland…
Grape varieties:
Tour Peyronneau : 100% Merlot
Château Bernateau : 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet franc
Château Bernateau
33330 Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse
Tel.: 05 57 40 18 19
Fax: 05 57 40 27 31
www.chateaubernateau.com
www.chateautourpeyronneau.com
