Château Bichon Cassignols
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Château Bichon Cassignols, located in La Brède, was owned by Marie and Jean-François Lespinasse. The 12.5-hectare vineyard, certified organic in 2011, produced wines in the Graves appellation, aged in oak barrels and vats. Wine production ceased in 2020.
Identity
Château Bichon Cassignols is a winegrowing estate whose production history was shaped by the management of Marie and Jean-François Lespinasse. It is situated in the commune of La Brède, in Gironde.
History and philosophy
The vineyard has experienced various active periods, with conflicting records regarding its founding date, ranging from post-World War I to 1981. The estate was owned by Marie and Jean-François Lespinasse, with its first recorded production in 1981. A conversion to organic farming began in 2008, culminating in certification in 2011. Production appears to have ceased in 2020, the year the vineyard was acquired by Château Méric.
Appellations
Château Bichon Cassignols produced wines under the Graves appellation.
Practical information
Château Bichon Cassignols is located at 50, avenue Capdeville, 33650 LA BRÈDE. The estate offered cellar-door sales and visits. For further details, the estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0)5 56 20 28 20 or by email at jf.lespinasse@wanadoo.fr.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary appellation of Château Bichon Cassignols wines?
- Château Bichon Cassignols produced wines under the Graves appellation. This appellation is renowned for its dry red and white wines.
- What is the surface area of Château Bichon Cassignols and where is it located?
- The vineyard spans 12.5 hectares and is located in the commune of La Brède, approximately twenty kilometres south-west of Bordeaux. The soils are characterised by deep gravel and sandy-gravel formations.
- Which grape varieties are primarily used for the estate's red wines?
- For its red wines, Château Bichon Cassignols primarily used Merlot (55%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%).
- Is Château Bichon Cassignols certified organic?
- Yes, the estate began conversion to organic farming in 2008 and obtained certification in 2011. It also followed sustainable viticultural practices.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard of Château Bichon Cassignols covers 12.5 hectares, with 8.5 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties and 4 hectares to white. It is located around twenty kilometres south-west of Bordeaux, in the commune of La Brède. The soils are characterised by deep gravel and sandy-gravel formations. The vineyard was managed according to sustainable farming practices and achieved organic certification in 2011.
Signature cuvées
The estate produced several cuvées, particularly reds. The “Bichon Cassignols Rouge” cuvée, also available as “Magnum Rouge Bichon Cassignols”, is crafted from Merlot (55%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%). This wine is characterised by a fruity profile, generous power, and woody notes, offering a fleshy and ample texture on the palate. Aged in both oak barrels and vats, it boasts an ageing potential of 10 years or more. Another red cuvée, “La Grande Réserve”, is also noted for its oak cask ageing.
The estate also produced a dry white wine, “Bichon Cassignols Blanc sec”.
Vinification and ageing
The red wines of Château Bichon Cassignols, such as “Bichon Cassignols Rouge” and “Magnum Rouge Bichon Cassignols”, were aged in oak barrels and vats. The “La Grande Réserve” cuvée was aged in oak casks.
- Appellation
- Graves
- Commune
- La Brède
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Owner
- JEAN-FRANÇOIS LESPINASSE
- Surface area
- 12 ha
- Second wine
- Petit Bichon
- Certifications
- Bio, agriculture raisonnée
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 55%, Cabernet Sauvignon 45%
Practical information
- Address
- 50, avenue Capdeville, 33650 LA BRÈDE
- Phone
- 05 56 20 28 20
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Oui