Château le Châtelet
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Château le Châtelet, owned by Julien Berjal in Saint-Émilion, produces a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. The 3.3-hectare vineyard on clay-limestone soils is organically farmed, with grape varieties dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Ageing takes place in oak barrels and occasionally in amphorae.
Identity
Château le Châtelet is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Saint-Émilion. It is owned by Julien Berjal, whose family has farmed this land for five generations.
History and philosophy
The estate's winegrowing origins date back to Antiquity, with vineyard plantings attributed to the legionaries of Emperor Probus. The property was awarded a Gold Medal by the international jury at the 1867 Exposition de Paris. Julien Berjal took over the estate in 2002, steering it towards organic farming.
Appellations
Château le Châtelet produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation.
Practical information
Château le Châtelet is located at 5, lieu-dit Le Châtelet, 33330 Saint-Émilion. For further information or visits, the estate can be reached by telephone on +33 6 72 91 09 29, 06 83 11 92 40 (Patrick) or 06 08 92 06 80 (Virginie), or by email at chateaulechatelet@gmail.com, chateaulechatelet.patrick@gmail.com or chateaulechatelet.virginie@gmail.com.
The cellar door is open daily from 11:00 to 19:00. Tastings and tours are available, preferably by prior appointment by phone or email, particularly from April to the end of October.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Château le Châtelet located?
- Château le Châtelet is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Saint-Émilion, specifically at 5, lieu-dit Le Châtelet, 33330 Saint-Émilion. This setting allows it to benefit from the hallmark terroir of the Saint-Émilion plateau, notably its typical clay-limestone soils.
- What are the grape varieties at Château le Châtelet?
- The vineyard at Château le Châtelet is planted primarily with Merlot, accounting for around 80% of the vines. Cabernet Franc completes the blend at approximately 20%. This combination is typical of the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation and contributes to the complexity and balance of the estate's wines.
- What is unique about the terroir of Château le Châtelet?
- The terroir of Château le Châtelet is situated on the Saint-Émilion plateau and is predominantly clay-limestone. It is characterised by a thin layer of clay resting on outcropping bedrock. The vines benefit from favourable sun exposure and the influences of a temperate oceanic climate, creating ideal conditions for optimal grape ripening.
- Is Château le Châtelet certified organic?
- Yes, Château le Châtelet is committed to organic viticulture. This certification reflects the estate's dedication to environmental stewardship and to crafting wines in accordance with organic farming principles, from vineyard management through to vinification.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard covers approximately 3.3 hectares. It is characterised by clay-limestone soils, typical of the Saint-Émilion plateau, with a thin layer of clay over outcropping bedrock. The vines benefit from excellent sun exposure and the influences of a temperate oceanic climate. The grape varieties are predominantly Merlot (around 80%) and Cabernet Franc (around 20%). The estate favours low yields to enhance grape concentration. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, followed by rigorous grape sorting.
Signature cuvées
Château le Châtelet is the estate’s flagship cuvée. The red wines are crafted from a blend typically dominated by Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc. While the aromatic profile and structure may vary slightly from vintage to vintage, they are meticulously aged to express the distinctive character of their terroir.
Vinification and ageing
Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled vats. A distinctive practice of the estate involves vinification directly in new oak barrels. Ageing then continues in French oak barrels for generally 12 to 18 months, or partly in amphorae depending on the vintage. Bottling is carried out at the Château. The ageing cellars maintain a constant temperature of 11.5°C and 95% humidity.
- Appellation
- Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
- Commune
- Saint-Émilion
- Wine region
- Libournais
- Owner
- Julien BERJAL
- Surface area
- 3.18 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 20%
Practical information
- Address
- 5, lieu-dit Le Châtelet, 33330 Saint-Émilion
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- Chaque jour de 11h à 19h (page visites)
- Visits
- Possible chaque jour, d'avril à fin octobre de 10h à 19h (page Histoire) ou chaque jour de 11h à 19h (page Visites), sur appel ou mail.