Château La Tour du Pin Figeac & Chateau Le Caillou
For this new article I propose to you to go and meet two exceptional properties: The Giraud-Belivier vineyards.
The Château La Tour du Pin Figeac entered the family Belivier when it was purchased in 1923 by Gerard Belivier, uncle of the current master of the house (Stephane Giraud). Mr. Belivier gave it to his brother Lucien Giraud (Stephane’s father) in 1972.
Initially and this until 1876, Château La Tour du Pin Figeac was a part of the Château Figeac. As the succession property was divided into several parts, some returned to the property of Château Cheval Blanc, the other formed separate vineyards: Chateau Tour du Pin Figeac,the Chateau Yon Figeac and Chateau la Grave Figeac.
Regarding the Chateau Le Caillou it has belonged for over a century to the Belivier family. This property was enlarged in 1905 and 1974 respectively with the Domaine Lacombe and Clos Lacombe.
For the record, the Château La Tour du Pin Figeac was filed before the ranking of Saint Emilion (established 1955). Before this classification it was already recognized as a “premier cru“.
Where do the names of these properties come from?
Regarding the property of Pomerol, the name simply comes from its location. Indeed it is a place called “Le Caillou” (which means: the rock).
For the property of Saint Emilion, as seen previously “Figeac” comes from the historic property. “Le Pin” comes simply from the fact that at the beginning, a large pine tree initially was on the property.
How does he see his own job?
As a ‘hard‘ business (physically with the work in the vineyard and “hard” at the winery production), “pretty” (plant product, natural, a business that is in contact with the environment) and “exciting” (allows discovery, travel, a synonymous of meeting and sharing).
What is what he wants?
Wines with elegance, flexibility, finesse, and respect for the fruit of the barrel. But also wines from a fragmented culture and also that respect the ecosystem.
Some features:
Produced five wines: Chateau La Tour du Pin Figeac (Saint Emilion Grand Cru), La Tourelle du Pin Figeac (Saint Emilion), Chateau Le Caillou (Pomerol), Clos Lacombe (Pomerol) and Domaine du Vieux Manoir (Lalande de Pomerol. 100% Merlot. The family owns 0.5 hectares of this AOC)
Chateau La Tour du Pin Figeac:
11 hectares- Grape varieties: 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc
- Sol: serious, clay-silica
- Farming
- Grass cover every second row
- Hand harvested in small crates
- Breeding: During 12 months with 2/3 new barrels, 1/3 of a wine in barrels
Chateau Le Caillou:
7 hectares- Grape varieties: Merlot 75% Cabernet Franc and 25%
- Soil: sandy gravel base of iron ore
- Production: 40,000 bottles
- Farming
- Grass cover every second row
- Hand harvested in small crates
- Breeding: During 12 months with 2/3 in barrels, third in cement tanks
Which are the projects for his vineyard?
It is rather a long term project, but Stephane Giraud would like to produce white wine. Side short-term further development of wine tourism is planned (please go see them, you will not be disappointed).
For the little story you should know that the family Belivier inherited a land known and recognized for its quality and finesse for tens of centuries. In fact wine is produced on this land since the 2nd century AD. At the time the Domaine Figeacus and specifically the Villa Figeacus use to produce wine on that land.
Historically the “Figeacus” would have several origins. The first is simply the name of the Roman family owner of Domaine de Figeacus: family “Fidius” completed by the possessive suffix “-acum”. The second source is Gazetteer, “fige” in Latin means “plant”, which for a farm makes sense.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Château La Tour du Pin Figeac
33330 Saint-Emilion
05.57.51.06.10
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Château Le Caillou
41, rue de Catusseau
33500 Pomerol
