Château Lafite Monteil
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Profile of Château Lafite Monteil, a winegrowing estate in Sallebœuf, Gironde. Certified Organic, it produces wines under the Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux rosé, Bordeaux blanc, and Vin de France appellations.
Identity
Château Lafite Monteil is located in Sallebœuf, in the Gironde department. The estate is owned by Jean Téchenet.
History and Philosophy
The vineyard of Château Lafite Monteil was established in the 19th century. From 1894 until the 1950s, the estate belonged to the Eiffel family, with Édouard Eiffel being one of the initial owners. Gustave Eiffel is also tied to the estate's history, having designed the original cellar.
Château Lafite Monteil is committed to an agroecological approach, including the sowing of cover crops between vine rows every autumn and the preservation of natural hedgerows. The estate achieved Organic certification (Agriculture Biologique) in 2023 and is conducting trials with biodynamic farming on a dedicated plot.
The Appellations
The estate produces wines under the Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux rosé, and Bordeaux blanc appellations, as well as Vin de France.
Practical Information
Château Lafite Monteil is located at 50, avenue Louis-Venot, 33370 Sallebœuf. The estate can be reached by phone at +33 5 40 12 93 95 and by email at f.castelnau@chateau-lafite-monteil.com. The estate offers tastings and direct sales at the property. Bed and breakfast accommodation is also available on site.
Find Out More
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Château Lafite Monteil located and who is the current owner?
- Château Lafite Monteil is located in Sallebœuf, in the Gironde, in the Entre-deux-Mers region, approximately 20 kilometres east of Bordeaux. The estate is owned by Jean Téchenet. The vineyard spans 106 hectares, benefiting from south-facing clay-gravel hillsides.
- What certifications and environmental practices are in place at Château Lafite Monteil?
- Château Lafite Monteil is committed to an agroecological approach. The estate achieved Organic certification in 2023. It sows cover crops between the vine rows every autumn and preserves natural hedgerows. In addition, the estate is trialling biodynamic farming methods on an experimental plot.
- Which grape varieties are cultivated and which appellations are produced by Château Lafite Monteil?
- Château Lafite Monteil primarily cultivates Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon for red wines, alongside Sauvignon and Sémillon for white wines. The estate produces wines under the Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux Rosé, Bordeaux Blanc, and Vin de France appellations. Key cuvées include "Le Merlot sans soufre", "Réserve Eiffel", and "La Réserve de Lafite Monteil".
- What is the history of Château Lafite Monteil and its connection to the Eiffel family?
- The vineyard of Château Lafite Monteil was established in the 19th century. From 1894 until the 1950s, the estate was owned by the Eiffel family. Édouard Eiffel was one of the initial owners, and Gustave Eiffel is associated with the estate's heritage having designed the original cellar. This period remains a significant part of the château's heritage and identity.
The Vineyard (Terroir)
The vineyard extends over an area of 106 hectares. It is located in the Entre-deux-Mers, in the commune of Sallebœuf, around 20 kilometres east of Bordeaux. The vines are planted on south-facing clay-gravel hillsides. The grape varieties grown are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Flagship Cuvées
Among the red wines, the estate offers the cuvée "Le Merlot sans soufre", a wine crafted with no added sulfites, and "Réserve Eiffel" (vintages 2016, 2021), a Bordeaux Supérieur blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in stainless steel vats with French oak staves. This cuvée has an ageing potential of 5 to 7 years. Another red cuvée, "Élevé en fût de chêne", is also produced under the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation.
The estate also crafts white wines, such as "La Réserve de Lafite Monteil" (vintage 2004), made predominantly from Sauvignon (70%) and Sémillon. Under the Vin de France designation, "Cap Soleil blanc de noir" is a cuvée made from 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.
As for rosés, "Cap Soleil rosé" (Vin de France) is blended from 33% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 34% Cabernet Franc.
Vinification and Ageing
Vinification for certain cuvées, such as "Le Merlot sans soufre", is carried out without added sulfites and aged in vats. Other cuvées, like "Élevé en fût de chêne", benefit from oak barrel ageing. The Cap Soleil cuvées are aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, while Réserve Eiffel is aged in stainless steel vats with French oak staves.
- Appellations
- Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux Rosé, Bordeaux, Vin de France
- Commune
- Sallebœuf
- Wine region
- Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur
- Owner
- Jean Téchenet
- Surface area
- 106 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon, Sémillon
Practical information
- Address
- 50, av. Louis-Venot, 33370 Sallebœuf
- Phone
- +33 5 40 12 93 95
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Oui