Château Font Merlet
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Château Font-Merlet, located in Montussan, produces wines in the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation. Managed by Pierre Barbe, the 18.5-hectare vineyard is planted on clay-gravel soils. The estate ages selected cuvées in oak barrels.
Identity
Château Font-Merlet is a winegrowing estate located in Montussan, in the Gironde département. The property is managed by Pierre Barbe.
History and philosophy
The estate is dedicated to producing wines that truly reflect their terroir. Viticultural practices favour mechanical soil tilling and natural grass cover between the vine rows.
Appellations
Château Font-Merlet produces wines under the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation.
Practical information
The estate is located at 69 route d’Yvrac, 33450 Montussan. Visits and tastings at Château Font-Merlet are available by appointment only. Direct cellar-door sales are not offered, and there is no on-site accommodation. For further information or to arrange a visit, the estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0)5 56 32 73 18 or by email at pierre.barbe33@wanadoo.fr.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Who owns Château Font Merlet and where is the estate located?
- Château Font Merlet is managed by Pierre Barbe. It is situated in the commune of Montussan, in the Gironde département. The estate's address is 69 route d’Yvrac, 33450 Montussan, where visits are possible by prior appointment.
- What is the size of the vineyard at Château Font Merlet and what are its key characteristics?
- The Château Font Merlet vineyard covers an area of 18.5 hectares. The soils are clay-gravel resting on clay-limestone subsoils. A specific 5-hectare section of the vineyard is notable for its Vayres gravels. The planting density is 5,000 vines per hectare, with an average vine age of 20 years.
- Which appellations are produced and what is the winemaking philosophy at Château Font Merlet?
- Château Font Merlet produces wines under the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation. The estate's philosophy focuses on viticulture that highlights the terroir, relying on practices such as mechanical soil management and natural grass cover to craft authentic, site-expressive wines. The main cuvée, "Font-Merlet", is designed for 5 to 10 years of ageing.
- How are the wines vinified and what are the visit arrangements at Château Font Merlet?
- Wines at Château Font Merlet benefit from maceration and vatting lasting around 30 days on average. Selected cuvées are then aged in oak barrels for at least two winters, before being bottled with natural cork closures. Visits and tastings are by appointment only, as the estate does not offer direct cellar-door sales or guest accommodation. Inquiries can be made by calling +33 (0)5 56 32 73 18 or emailing pierre.barbe33@wanadoo.fr.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château Font-Merlet vineyard spans 18.5 hectares. The soils are clay-gravel over clay-limestone subsoils. A dedicated 5-hectare block of the vineyard features the distinctive gravels of Vayres. The planting density is 5,000 vines per hectare, and the average age of the vineyard is 20 years.
Flagship cuvées
The estate's primary cuvée, "Font-Merlet", is crafted for cellaring between 5 and 10 years.
Vinification and ageing
The wines of Château Font-Merlet undergo maceration and vatting for an average of 30 days. Selected cuvées are aged in oak barrels for at least two winters. Bottling is finished with natural cork stoppers.
- Appellation
- Bordeaux Supérieur
- Commune
- Montussan
- Wine region
- Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur
- Owner
- Pierre Barbe
- Surface area
- 18.5 ha
Practical information
- Address
- 69 route d’Yvrac, 33450 MONTUSSAN
- Phone
- 05 56 32 73 18
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Oui sur rendez-vous