Located southeast of Bordeaux, Château des Antonins is a family-run estate steeped in history. The estate, built in the 13th century, owes its name to the ‘Antonins’ monks who lived there for 500 years. A large part still survives today, including a toll bridge, chapel, monastery and various windmills. In the late 19th century the Roquefeuil family, who have owned the estate since the 1850s, gradually replanted the vines, which today cover 38 hectares. Geoffroy and Martine de Roquefeuil took over in 1985, and have moved to sustainable farming. Their son Antoine spent time working in New Zealand before returning to the family estate as head winemaker in 2016. He took over management of the estate in 2020.
Five kilometres from Graves, the vineyards are located on the left bank of the Garonne river. Only seven hectares are planted with white grapes, split between 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. The vines lie on predominantly sandy-loam soil, which lends an elegance and lifted acidity to the wine. The remaining 31 hectares are planted with 65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc on clay-gravel soil, which results in approachable wines with an excellent fruit concentration. Fermented in stainless steel with regular racking and pumping over to extract colour and flavour. The final blend is then aged in stainless steel prior to bottling.
The Bordeaux Supérieur is a blend of 55% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. The result is a rich, supple wine, packed with layers of pure red fruit and nuances of spice and black cherry. A very approachable, easy-drinking claret.
