The Producer
The Manoir du Gravoux is a medieval building from the 14th century, located at the top of a valley in Saint-Genès-de-Castillon, on one of the terroirs of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux. Philippe and Séverine Emile have been operating the property as tenants since 1997. They then began to market their production under the name Château Manoir du Gravoux, before creating the cuvée La Violette in 2002, and then Le Secret du Manoir in 2007, two cuvées that complete the identity of the estate.
The vineyard extends over 24 hectares, located in the continuity of the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion. It is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, to which a small plot of Chardonnay of less than one hectare has been added since 2018. The terroir combines a plateau sitting on a rocky slab, covered with a thin layer of red clay, and slopes mixing clay and limestone. According to the estate, the clay provides power and structure, while the limestone contributes to freshness, finesse, and a gourmet finish.
Today, the Manoir du Gravoux operates with an HVE 3 approach, with a conversion to organic farming underway. The estate places particular importance on the knowledge of each of its plots and the adaptation of work to the vintage. The grapes are sorted and destemmed before precise vinification, then some batches are aged for twelve months in oak barrels. The range includes notably the Château Manoir du Gravoux, La Violette, Le Secret du Manoir, and a Chardonnay. The sought-after style favors fruity, fleshy, and structured wines, while maintaining the freshness brought by the limestone terroir.
The Cuvée
Manual harvesting. Sorting by density (Tribaie).
Whole berries, with about 20% stems on the Merlots, this percentage is adjusted
according to the vintage as well as the quality of the stems and the ripeness of the grapes.
Vinifications are carried out in micro-parcels, in stainless steel tanks, with natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts. The extraction is done by infusing whole berries under the juice.
Aging takes place in 350 L barrels that have already been used for several years for Chardonnay, for 6 to 9 months, then in tank for about 2 months, until maturity.
The wines are low in sulfites.
Tasting
It is a wine of pleasure, to be shared among friends at aperitif time. Accessible and digestible, it expresses itself on the fruit with a beautiful indulgence and great drinkability.
It is the best friend of pizzas, pasta dishes, and cold cuts.