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Château du Grand Bos
Graves Blanc “Cuvee Spinoza”
France, Bordeaux, Graves
White
Winery Overview
Château du Grand Bos is located in Castres, in a part of the Graves appellation where one finds some of the oldest Bordeaux vineyards dating from 2,000 years ago. The vineyard lies near the old Roman road named “Chemin Gallien”. The Château is listed as a leading estate in its commune in editions of Cocks & Feret going back to 1868. The vineyard, whose soil is composed of very deep gravel, ceased being cultivated in the 1950’s and when M. Vincent bought the property in 1988 it was in poor condition.
M.Vincent had sold his property in Saint Estephe, Chateau La Haye, with the idea of retiring but instead immediately set out to replant and restore the vineyard as well as the Château. The winery was further renovated in 2005 when the underground cellar where wells had been dug in the 17th century, was refashioned into a pristine barrel room with lots of natural humidity.
Today, André’s granddaughter Lou Rochet runs the property. The winery is certified sustainable (HVE3), and since 2020 the vineyards are in conversion to organic certification.
Part of the Wine Traditions portfolio.
The vineyard totals 18.5 hectares with 15 hectares in red grapes and 3.5 hectares in white grapes. Through the purchase of his neighbor’s well-established vineyard, M. Vincent achieved an average vine age of 30 years, with certain parcels being between 40 and 50 years old. The vineyard ground is worked throughout the year, including “chaussage et dechaussage,” a traditional method of protecting the vine over the winter by covering the base of the plants with soil just after harvest and then removing it in the spring. The vines are pruned using the “guyot double” method with each cane limited to four buds. Yields are controlled through “ébourgeonnage” bud pulling and then if still necessary “vendange en vert” green harvesting.
Viticulture
The vineyards planted to white grapes are in the proportions: 57% Semillon, 38% Sauvignon Blanc/Sauvignon Gris and 5% Muscadelle. The “Cuvée Spinoza” is a blend of 42% Sauvignon Blanc, 32% Sauvignon Gris, 22% Semillon, and 4% Muscadelle.
Vinification
After a manual harvest, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel, with the different grape varieties fermented separately. The wines remain “sur lie” until the spring when an “assemblage” is made. Less than 60ppm of SO2 added.
Tasting Notes
60% Semillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc, and 10% Muscadelle. Bright and lively aromatics. White flowers, lemon and crushed stone open up in the glass on this powerful white. Possesses tremendous depth and texture with notes of tropical fruit, minerals and spices on the lengthly finish.
