Château Altimar

Identity

Château Altimar is a winegrowing estate managed by Martial Junquas, who is also a trained oenologist. The estate is based in Néac, in Gironde.

History and philosophy

Martial Junquas’s family roots run deep in the Bordeaux vineyard, his great-grandfather having been a winegrower at Domaine du Chatain as early as 1912. In 2009, Martial Junquas established Château Altimar, upholding this proud family legacy. The estate is committed to high quality and sustainable viticulture. Since 2018, the vineyards have been in conversion to organic farming, alongside HVE3 certification. Neither herbicides nor insecticides are used, and organic treatments are applied sparingly.

Appellations

Château Altimar produces wines under several appellations, notably AOC Lalande de Pomerol, AOC Pomerol, AOC Saint-Émilion, AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion, AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, AOC Bordeaux Rouge, AOC Bordeaux Clairet and AOC Bordeaux Rosé.

Practical information

Château Altimar is located at 6 Chatain, 33500 Néac. For enquiries, the estate can be contacted on +33688347796 or 05 57 25 98 48.

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The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Altimar vineyard is distinguished by plots planted with old vines. The soils are predominantly clay and loam. Organic conversion began in 2018. In 2017, the estate acquired 3 hectares of vines in AOC Saint-Émilion and AOC Bordeaux, followed in 2018 by 1.7 hectares in AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion. The primary grape varieties grown include Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Flagship cuvées

The estate’s portfolio includes several signature bottlings. Château Altimar - Solemnis, sometimes presented as a Signature cuvée, is an old-vine cuvée in AOC Lalande de Pomerol. The classic Château Altimar is also produced in AOC Lalande de Pomerol. The Château Altimar - Sous les Cerisiers cuvée is a single-varietal red wine (100% Merlot) in AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol, characterised by aromas of fresh red fruit, a fruit-driven profile and supple tannins. The Château Altimar - Puy Versannes cuvée is produced in AOC Saint-Émilion. The estate also offers terroir-driven cuvées such as Château Haut Chatain and Château La Rose Chatain, both in AOC Lalande de Pomerol, as well as Château Lacoste Chatain in AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion. Distinctive cuvées complete the range: Château Altimar - Solstice in AOC Bordeaux Rouge, Château Altimar - Noctis in AOC Bordeaux Clairet (100% Merlot, notes of fresh red fruit, fruity and slightly tannic), and Château Altimar - Prima Luce in AOC Bordeaux Rosé.

Vinification and ageing

Harvesting is carried out by hand, with three meticulous sorting selections. The grapes are chilled to very low temperatures prior to fermentation to optimise the extraction of colour and aromatics. Vinification follows traditional methods, with fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and regular pump-overs. Ageing takes place in oak barrels for selected cuvées. Bottling is carried out without fining or filtration.