I visited last week a very interesting chateau in the Entre deux Mers region of Bordeaux, just next to the wine syndicate in La Sauve Majeure.
This property used to belong to the abbey in La Sauve and dates back to the 12th century (hence the Saint Mary), and made the wine purely for church use. Today, not suprisingly since the abbey is in ruins, it is owned privately, by Steffan Dupuch. Much of the chateau was devastated by fire centuries ago, and only the giant 400 year old sequoias remain, but it is still a very attractive property, with beautiful views, even if the chais could do with a lick of paint. As Steffan's father said, 'We put all our money into the vineyards, planting to high density, selecting the best terroirs in the area for new purchases, being out in the vines ensuring everything is meticulously cared for. We can always put a new roof on next year, but the vines won't wait.'
It is notable for its white wines - particularly their top selection, Cuvee Madlys, that comes from 100% sauvignon vines, planted at 10,000 vines per hectare on a clay and chalk vineyard on one of Bordeaux’s highest hills. This density of planting is certainly a record in Bordeaux for whites (the Despagne family, and a few others, do this for their red wines - Despagne particularly for their excellent Girolate red), but this is the only one I know of for whites.
It is an excellent bottle - fresh but intense, and low temperature vinification helps also to concentrate the sauvignon aromas of citrus and grapefruit. There is also a round edge of caramel that is beautifully set against the acidity.
But what will really make this chateau stay in your mind forever, once visited, is that they have two parokeets from the Congo, one of which is over 45 years old, that can perfectly whistle the theme tune from the Great Escape!
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