Chateau de Parenchere Bordeaux Superieur Rouge 2006

The Estate

Owned by the Gazaniol family, this estate produces wines which are regularly singled out at being one of the best value Bordeaux Superieur by Robert Parker. The estate is located at the easternmost reaches of the Bordeaux region, bordering the Dordogne department. The total size of the estate is 153 HA, of which 65 HA are dedicated to the vineyard. The estate dates from the 16th Century, and the château was built in 1731.

The Soils

The vines are planted on chalky clay soils, on the estate’s best exposed plots and solely on hillsides so that rainwater drains away naturally

Vinification

The winemaking cellar was designed to have a plot by plot approach in order to respect the variety of soils and exposures of Parenchère. The grapes are harvested at low temperatures, only from dawn until the end of the morning. Before the start of fermentation, cold maceration (at less than 10°C) takes place over 6 to 7 days in each vat. Fermentation then follows, at a temperature no greater then 28°C enabling fruit substances to be gently extracted to form subtle, elegant tannins. During this period, air is circulated under the floating crust of sediment so as to capture as may fruit aromas as possible. Once the fermentation is over, the wines macerate for 1 to 2 weeks at 30°C, depending on the tasting.