In the far east of the vineyard of Bordeaux, 75 km away from the capital city of Aquitaine, in the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs, Château Pierrail benefits from a privileged position on the well exposed hillsides overhanging the small valley where the Fonchotte flows.
The beautiful mansion with a Mansart-style roof, flanked by two square towers, was built in the 17th century on the ruins of a middle ages castle by the Ségur family. Through the centuries it is transmitted to the Roche family, then the Barons de Brianson. From 1887 the estate was left abandoned until the Demonchaux family’s arrival in 1970.
Jacques Demonchaux made a point of giving the domain back its lustre. He initiated the restructuration of the vineyard. For the commercial development he is helped by his wife Alice. The wine making is their son Aurélien’s concern. The latter improved the quality of the wines who are regularly awarded in the different French and foreign contests, but also by various specialized magazines.
In the continuation of the Saint-Emilion and Castillon AOCs, Château de Pierrail is set on clay and limestone soils on hillsides facing southesat which enables the vineyard to benefit from a good amount of sunshine. The vines are maintained in integrated farming for sustainable viticulture. For ageing, Aurélien Demonchaux praises pleads for moderate woodiness to not overwhelm the notes of fruits. The qualities of roundness, elegance, freshness, the melted tannins have been many times underlined by the greatest tasters.
To make discover their wines the family has created a tasting room and hosts receptions (up to 50 persons). Château Pierrail also is a place to explore with its French formal and topiary gardens and rural park that Jacques and Alice Demonchaux strived to restore as from their arrival on the domain.
A heaven of greenery that undoubtedly endows the place with the quietness necessary to the good ageing of the wines!
SV
Château Pierrail,
Sauvignon Blanc et gris , Bordeaux 2015
Service : 12° - Ageing : 2020
Visual aspect: yellow, pale green, bright. Nose: aromas of white flowers (honeysuckle) and citrus (grapfruit). Palate: fresh, mentholated with fruity flavours elegantly woody, buttery, vanilla-scented. Round, fresh, vivid finish with a lovely smoky, velvety texture. Match with food: to enjoy as an aperitif. Comment: a rich and aromatic wine of great scale.
Château Pierrail,
Bordeaux supérieur 2014
Service : 17 ° - Ageing : 2025
Visual aspect: dense, dark, nearly black. Nose: rich aromas of Morello cherry, blackcurrant, slightly woody and smoky. Palate: round and fresh with a beautiful aromatic range of red and black fruits. Crisp and savoury tannins that evidence a good ageing potential. Match with food: duck fillet with ceps. Comment: an elegant and powerful wine.
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