Château de Castres
A vineyard … that combines tradition and modernity
This is a vineyard of the region of Graves that was founded in 1580. It was designed from the beginning to be used in viticulture. This situation was relatively rare at the time, since almost all of the farms, until the mid 18th century, practiced mixed farming and livestock. The main building (the chateau) dates to the 18th century.
Its current name “Château de Castres” refers to the city of Castres in Gironde, very close to the castle. But originally, and until the late 19th century, this property had the name of the owner (at the time), Baron de Poitevin.
Thereafter it changed owners several times. It was especially the property of R. Karltz, creator of the first factory of Bordeaux mixture (product used in the vineyard) department. She was also a seat of command during the Second World War.
Renewal
In 1996 the property was purchased by the current masters of the place, José Rodrigues and Brigitte-Lalande. He is a former chemical engineer in the industry and the younger son of a Portuguese winemaker, later he became part of the Faculty of Oenology in Bordeaux and obtained a diploma in oenology in 1994 (because he “can’t imagine to be without making wine.”(this wish considers all the elements it takes to make a wine).
She, in the other hand, an accountant, specialist wine grower and daughter of the Graves region.
After the retirement of the father of Bridget, they inherited parcels of vines (formerly the Chateau Mirail) and therefore they began looking for a property close to the vineyards that they just received.
They visited several but had a real heart for the Château de Castres. Everything was what they wanted: a land with great potential, soil that is able to produce wines, a beautiful chartreuse and a beautiful park. José Rodrigues-Lalande therefore resigned from his position and the young couple began a series of works which lasted 2 years: Renovating the monastery, the cellars of the 17th century, acquiring stainless steel vats, but also and above all in “renovating” the vineyard.
In same time to this work, he was the Technical Director and then Director of the company VINOCOR France, 2nd distributor of cork in the world.
His first vintage in his property was in 1998 and since that date, his leitmotifs were the words “work“, “discipline“, “clean wine“, “tradition“, “modernity” but also “perfect local knowledge. ”
Presently, in addition to having the Château de Castres (GRAVES), this pair of entrepreneurs-growers bought a few years ago the Château Roche-Lalande (PESSAC-LEOGNAN).
What José Rodrigues-Lalande search by creating wines? How can their wines be recoznized?
A “wine of his own” without outside expression to the wine. Without vegetal. A wine that is round, with a nose of fruit and undergrowth. Concentrated on wood, without excess volatile (definition L’Avis du Vin Le Figaro: The Acetic acid is the dominant volatile acid. Volatile acid is essential to the bouquet of the wine. When it is present in excess it then gives unpleasant flavors ,and wine merchant should not be like that). Good sweetness. A mordern Nectar “turned to the world and combining (for winemaking) tradition and new technology.”
Moving on to the anecdote of the week: A label with a strong history
This time the story will involve the wine label “Compeador Chateau Roche-Lalande.” It has a red ellipse to symbolize the wine.
A wine brand with a strong word “Campeador”, a word mark that you do not forget that recalls the origins of the owner.
José Rodrigues-Lalande label wanted a young, modern, and different from what can be seen in the Pessac Leognan to represent this sappy wine, both traditional and avant-garde for the name … Mission accomplished!
Side project:
Rodrigues-Lalande has plans to renovate and transform the canopy built by Gustave Eiffel, and the small building juxtaposed in the restaurant, reception. Ultimately, it would also open guest rooms and a shop / home visits in the first building. This grower also has dreams of one day owning a vineyard in Portugal, a country of his roots.
More about this property:
For the record, this is the only vineyard in Bordeaux that has a space classified Natura 2000. It has a park with trees and true 300 year old mangroves. Rare and unique plant species are located on five sites in Gironde.
Thank you to José Rodrigues-Lalande for your warm welcome.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
