Chateau Chantecler Pauillac 2019

60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot from 45 year old vines grown on one hectare in the gravelly hillsides of Pauillac. The two types of grapes are harvested by hand and vinified separately before blending. Monsieur Mirande harvests in a single day or perhaps two, waiting for the Cabernet to ripen before picking. The Merlot, maturing earlier, is thus left on the vine to achieve a level of “surmaturité” which adds to Chantecler’s unique and compelling character. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel. Elevage takes place in a mix of new (60%) and one-year-old (40%) French barriques over the course of 16 to 18 months before being bottled unfiltered. Production averages 3,500 bottles. Of the 1,199 valuable hectares planted to grapes in Pauillac, most are owned by the numerous cru classé chateaux that call the region home. Yet, within the formidable triangle formed by Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and Chateau Pontet-Canet, a single hectare remains in the hands of grower-producer Yannick Mirande. The Mirande family has owned vineyards in Pauillac for several generations, but in the spring of 2004 an aunt sold most of the land to Mouton Rothschild. Yannick Mirande secured control over the remaining hectare and has been making wines from his own vines ever since.