Graves

The Graves AOC, dating back to 1937, stretches along the left bank of the Garonne River, south of Bordeaux, over a 50 km strip. The entire Graves vineyard, from Bordeaux to Langon, can produce Graves appellation wines, but most Graves wines come from the area between Brède and Langon, bypassing the Barsac and Sauternes appellations. The soil consists of Quaternary alluvial deposits brought in by the river. This layer of pebbles and stones lies on a sandy substrate, or even pure sand or alios (ferrous sand concretions), from which the vines draw the nutrients they need to produce great wines.

The Graves wine terroir has an ideal microclimate for vines. It is protected from bad weather by a thick pine forest, while the river tempers the excesses of summer.The area planted with red grape varieties has been growing steadily since the 1950s. The Graves appellation covers more than 3,800 hectares. Its annual production is 170,000 hectoliters, two-thirds of which are red Graves wines. The remaining third is divided between dry white Graves wines (32,000 hectoliters) and Graves Supérieurs wines (11,000 hectoliters).

Graves red wines benefit from a balanced blend of grape varieties, with Cabernet providing aroma and structure and Merlot adding fragrance and suppleness. Depending on the vintage and the estate, the wines reach their peak between 5 and 10 years. The dry white wines of the Graves appellation are elegant and full-bodied. Made with Sémillon, they develop notes of wax and honey as well as a natural richness that does not exclude freshness. Blended with Sauvignon, known for its liveliness and expressiveness, Graves white wines bring out citrus aromas, sometimes accompanied by exotic or menthol notes. Barrel aging allows them to gain richness and complexity after a few years of aging. Graves Supérieures are sweet white wines with a pronounced bouquet and a very long finish. Golden yellow in color, they are characterized by a harmony between acidity and sweetness and develop aromatic notes of toast, honey, and sometimes dried fruit. Among the many Graves wines, Château Respide-Médeville and Château Méjean are particularly noteworthy.