Château Charmail

Château Charmail takes its name from its history, which dates back to the 16th century, specifically the Trevey de Charmail family, who settled in the Médoc region at that time. The estate’s reputation, however, dates back to the early 18th century.

Château Charmail is located on the banks of the Gironde River, which allows it to benefit from milder temperatures and protection from the severe winter frosts that can be devastating to the vineyards. The Château Charmail vineyard is a single contiguous plot that extends almost to the water’s edge. The soils are composed primarily of clayey and sandy gravel and colluvial deposits. It is from this diversity that Château Charmail derives its balance and uniqueness: between the finesse and elegance of the gravel and the strength and power of the clay.

Olivier Sèze, the former owner, has remained with the family to continue the adventure. He brings all his experience, know-how, and expertise to the estate. Thus, Château Charmail continues on the path established by Olivier over the years, namely mastery and high standards at every stage from vineyard to wine, in pursuit of elegance and balance.

Château Charmail takes every measure to preserve this precious terroir and advance its environmental approach. Soil management includes removing stones, hilling, and scarifying, which allows the vines to root deeply and become less susceptible to water stress. Furthermore, no chemical fertilizers or herbicides are used. In terms of winemaking, every effort is made to uphold Château Charmail’s philosophy: prioritizing balance. Cold skin maceration, invented at the estate, allows us to extract from the skins the components that produce the finest tannins. Aging in French oak barrels lasts 12 months, and we renew one-third of the barrels each year to avoid excessive oak influence.