Château la Mothe du Barry

Identity

Château La Mothe du Barry is located in Moulon, Gironde. It is owned by Joël Duffau, a ninth-generation winemaker.

History and philosophy

The history of Château La Mothe du Barry is rooted in deep family ties to the Bordeaux vineyards. Joël Duffau established himself at the estate in 1985, carrying on a long-standing family winemaking tradition. In 2009, the estate began converting to organic viticulture, achieving certification in 2013 for all its wines and appellations. This philosophy is reflected in the drive to reduce sulfites, beginning with the release of a no-added-sulfur cuvée in 2009, complemented by other low-intervention wines. The estate's environmental commitment also includes sourcing recycled or recyclable packaging, planting hedgerows, reducing tractor passes through the vineyard, using natural inputs, mechanical weed control, and selecting eco-friendly dry goods (FSC corks, recycled paper labels with water-based inks, lightweight glass bottles).

Appellations

Château La Mothe du Barry produces wines under several appellations, including AOC Bordeaux Supérieur, AOC Bordeaux Clairet, AOC Entre-deux-Mers, and AOC Bordeaux.

Winemaking and ageing

The estate focuses on vinification methods that preserve fruit integrity and terroir typicity. For certain cuvées, such as Cuvée Le Barry, winemaking involves pump-overs during the first two days followed by an "infusion" phase lasting around four weeks, without sulfur additions during the process. Ageing for Cuvée Le Barry is traditionally carried out in one-wine oak barrels for 18 to 24 months. Starting with the 2022 vintage, the estate opted to age this wine in 1,200-litre oak foudres for 12 to 24 months. A no-added-sulfur cuvée is also produced, and all the estate's wines benefit from minimal sulfite use.

Practical information

Château La Mothe du Barry is located at 490 Rte du Pont Riveau, 33420 Moulon. The estate can be contacted by telephone on 05 57 74 93 98 or by email at vignobles.jduffau@orange.fr. The tasting cellar and shop is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 18:00. Tours and tastings are available by appointment. The estate also offers mail order sales and provides bed and breakfast accommodation.

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Site officiel du domaine

The vineyard (terroir)

Château La Mothe du Barry spans a total planted area of 44 hectares, with 37 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties and 7 hectares to white grape varieties. The soils are predominantly clay-limestone and boulbène across the Entre-deux-Mers plots. The average vine age is 35 years, with 40-year-old parcels dedicated to Cuvée Le Barry, planted at a density of 5,000 vines per hectare. The red grape varieties comprise Merlot (80%), Cabernet Franc (10%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), alongside Sauvignon and Muscadelle for the white wines. In anticipation of climate change, the estate has also planted Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate plants hedgerows with diverse species such as blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, and holm oak, fostering biodiversity.

Flagship cuvées

The estate offers a range of cuvées showcasing the diversity of its terroir and viticultural practices.

• Château La Mothe du Barry (AOC Bordeaux Supérieur): Crafted from 100% Merlot, this wine embodies the classic expression of the estate.
• Cuvée French Kiss (AOC Bordeaux Clairet): A modern interpretation of Clairet.
• Cuvée French Kiss Blanc (AOC Entre-deux-Mers): A blend of Sauvignon and Muscadelle, this white wine is tailored for export markets.
• La Cuvée Design (AOC Bordeaux Supérieur): Made from Merlot, this cuvée was created in 1998 and aged in oak barrels for twelve months. Another version, « Cuvée Design Élevé en fût de chêne », is a still red wine under the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation.
• Cuvée Le Barry (AOC Bordeaux Supérieur): A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon from 40-year-old vines, benefiting from extended ageing.
• La Cuve à mon Loup (AOC Bordeaux): A cuvée crafted with no added sulfur.