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Château Belles Graves
Château Belles-Graves, Lalande-de-Pomerol merlot: age-worthy red, family estate since 1938, direct from the estate...
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Château Belles-Graves: the elegance of Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves
A family estate of AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol (the Theallet family since 1938), facing Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. 17 hectares on crasse de fer, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Cuvees Belles-Graves, Les Terrasses and Cuvee X.
Facing the prestigious vineyards of Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, Château Belles-Graves spans 17 hectares of light-bathed hillsides. The vineyard rests on a clay-gravel soil rich in iron oxides, nicknamed crasse de fer, which gives the wines a velvety structure and remarkable depth. Exposed from east to west, the vines enjoy ideal sunshine and natural drainage, for grapes of perfect ripeness.
A historic, family estate
Formerly known as Domaine de Drouilleau, the château appears as early as the first editions of Bordeaux et ses Vins by Cocks and Feret. Owned by the Theallet family since 1938, the estate is today run by Xavier Piton, of the third generation. Faithful to the spirit of his elders, he perpetuates a modern, respectful vision of the vine: to experiment without dogma, to preserve the living, and to let the land speak.
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Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the Belles-Graves signature
Merlot, the king of the vineyard, covers about 85% of the plots and brings roundness, silkiness and fruit. Cabernet Franc, more confidential (15%), completes the blends with its freshness and aromatic complexity. This subtle alliance gives birth to elegant, expressive wines deeply marked by their crasse de fer terroir.
A reasoned, sustainable viticulture
At Château Belles-Graves, respect for the terroir guides every decision. The vine is worked in a reasoned, manual way: soil ploughing, natural organic matter, hand-harvesting and rigorous sorting before vinification. Xavier Piton constantly explores new paths, organic farming, biodynamics or genodics, with a pragmatic approach: to keep the best of each method to favour the life of the soils, the plants and the people.
Modern cellars in the service of tradition
Housed in a renovated 18th-century building, the cellar combines technology and ancestral savoir-faire. The temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats allow a gentle vinification, respectful of the fruit. Ageing extends over 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels, with a measured use of new wood; the wines are topped up every week and fined with egg white in the Bordeaux tradition, for balanced, elegant and pure wines, where the oak never dominates the fruit.
The wines of Château Belles-Graves
From the grand vin made from old vines to the Cuvee X plot selection, each cuvee expresses the Lalande-de-Pomerol terroir. Here are the wines to discover direct from the estate.
Château Belles-Graves
AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol - the grand vin, old vines
From the estate's old vines (average age 40 years), the grand vin expresses all the power and finesse of the terroir: an ample palate, precise fruit, a silky texture.
Les Terrasses de Belles-Graves
AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol - the second wine, young vines
Made from the young vines, this second wine emphasises freshness and immediate pleasure.
Cuvée X
AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol - an exceptional plot selection
An exceptional plot selection, racy and persistent: the quintessence of the Belles-Graves style.
AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol, direct from the estate
A place steeped in history and emotion
The 18th-century chartreuse, the lime-tree-lined avenues and the terrace overlooking the Barbanne valley give the estate a peaceful, inspiring atmosphere. Commandant Cousteau, a cousin of the Theallet family, stayed here regularly, sometimes taking the Belles-Graves wines on his expeditions aboard the Calypso. This link between nature, exploration and wine perfectly embodies the estate's philosophy: curiosity, respect and transmission.
Why choose the Château Belles-Graves wines?
A great Lalande-de-Pomerol terroir. 17 hectares on the crasse de fer, facing Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, for velvety, deep wines.
A family history since 1938. The Theallet family, today Xavier Piton (3rd generation), between Bordeaux tradition and a spirit of experimentation.
Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 85% Merlot for roundness and fruit, 15% Cabernet Franc for freshness and complexity.
Three cuvees to discover. The grand vin Château Belles-Graves, the second wine Les Terrasses and the Cuvee X plot selection.
Frequently asked questions about Château Belles-Graves
Where is Château Belles-Graves located?
In the Libournais, in AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol, facing the vineyards of Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. The estate spans 17 hectares of hillsides, on a clay-gravel soil rich in iron oxides, the crasse de fer.
What is the history of the estate?
Formerly known as Domaine de Drouilleau, the château appears as early as the first editions of Bordeaux et ses Vins by Cocks and Feret. Owned by the Theallet family since 1938, it is today run by Xavier Piton, of the third generation.
What is the crasse de fer?
A clay-gravel soil rich in iron oxides, nicknamed crasse de fer, which gives the wines a velvety structure and a remarkable depth, a signature of the Pomerol and Lalande-de-Pomerol terroir.
Which grapes does the estate work with?
Merlot, the king of the vineyard, covers about 85% of the plots and brings roundness, silkiness and fruit; Cabernet Franc (15%) completes the blends with its freshness and aromatic complexity.
What is the estate's viticultural approach?
A reasoned, manual viticulture: soil ploughing, natural organic matter, hand-harvesting and rigorous sorting. Xavier Piton explores organic farming, biodynamics and genodics, keeping the best of each method to favour the life of the soils.
How are the wines made?
In a renovated 18th-century cellar: temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats for a gentle vinification, ageing of 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels (measured use of new wood), weekly topping-up and fining with egg white in the Bordeaux tradition.
What are the estate's cuvees?
The grand vin Château Belles-Graves (old vines, average age 40 years), the second wine Les Terrasses de Belles-Graves (young vines) and the Cuvee X (an exceptional plot selection), all in AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol.
What is the grand vin Château Belles-Graves?
From the estate's old vines (average age 40 years), it expresses all the power and finesse of the terroir: an ample palate, precise fruit and a silky texture.
What is the Cuvee X?
An exceptional plot selection, racy and persistent, representing the quintessence of the Belles-Graves style, in AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol.
What is the style of the Château Belles-Graves wines?
Elegant, expressive and pure wines, where the oak never dominates the fruit: Merlot brings roundness and silkiness, Cabernet Franc freshness and complexity.
Which dishes to enjoy with the wines?
The Lalande-de-Pomerol wines accompany red meats, game, slow-cooked dishes and cheeses; the second wine Les Terrasses de Belles-Graves is lovely in its youth, with simpler dishes.
Can you buy the Château Belles-Graves wines directly?
Yes: the cuvees are available here, direct from the estate, carefully shipped across France and Europe.
Direct from the estate, AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves - A family estate of AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol (the Theallet family since 1938), on the crasse de fer. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The grand vin Château Belles-Graves (old vines), the second wine Les Terrasses de Belles-Graves and the Cuvee X
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