Château La Roche Beaulieu

C hâteau La Roche Beaulieu is located in the Côtes de Castillon appellation and its vineyards cover an area of 8.50 hectares. The grape varieties consist of 75% Merlot, which contributes fruitiness; 20% Cabernet Franc, which provides structure; and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The average age of the vines is 40 years, and the oldest plots date back to 1910 and 1914. The terroir of Château La Roche Beaulieu, located as an extension of the Saint-Emilion plateau, is geologically similar to the latter. Thus, the soils are clay-limestone and rest on marine-origin asterian limestone, which outcrops in many places on the property.

Yields at Château La Roche Beaulieu vary from year to year, but they are limited by “sustainable” viticultural practices, including grassing every other row, green harvesting, and leaf removal. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled concrete tanks, followed by aging in new barrels and French oak barrels in varying proportions depending on the cuvée. During the final blending, a certain volume of wine aged in tanks is added to accentuate the “fruit” of this appellation wine. The estate is managed by Jean-Michel Ferrandez, who is among the region’s top viticulturists and oenologists.

Château La Roche Beaulieu is distinguished, among other things, by two cuvées: Amavinum in the Côtes de Castillon and Rex Bibendi, a Bordeaux appellation, a sumptuous cuvée crafted with the assistance of Serge Dubs and Markus Del Monego, both World’s Best Sommeliers.