COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
NV
GRAPE
Bouchalès, Merlot, Mancin des Palus, Castets, Malbec, Carménère, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
PRODUCER
Château de la Vieille Chapelle
REGION
Bordeaux
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
Tannins
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Château de la Vieille Chapelle is a historic estate situated on the alluvial banks of the Dordogne River on Bordeaux's Right Bank. Managed by the Mallier family, the estate is renowned for its dedication to preserving rare, forgotten, and pre-phylloxera grape varieties. Because these ancient varieties fall outside the strict regulations of the Bordeaux AOC, the estate releases these highly distinctive, heritage-driven wines under the Vin de France designation. The estate's vineyards surround a Romanesque chapel dating back to the 11th century, anchoring their natural winemaking philosophy in deep historical roots.
ALCOHOL
12.0%
AVG. PRICE
€25
STYLE
Natural
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
14-16°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Sourced from a tiny 0.33-hectare plot of ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines originally planted around 1860.
Fact 02
The vineyard is cultivated without tractors, using manual labor and draft horses to prevent soil compaction.
Fact 03
Features Bouchalès, an almost extinct local grape variety known for its vibrant acidity and rustic charm.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The winemaking process at Château de la Vieille Chapelle is guided by biodynamic principles, certified by Demeter. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand, plot-by-plot, from ancient, ungrafted vines. In the cellar, fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeasts. The estate practices minimal intervention, avoiding chemical inputs and fining. For cuvées like Absolem, no sulfur is added at any stage. Aging takes place in neutral vessels to preserve the pure, vibrant expression of the historic field blend and the unique clay-loam terroir.
