Château Le Sens
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Château Le Sens is a family-owned winegrowing estate in Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux, held by the Courrèges family since the 18th century. Covering 7 hectares in Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux and currently in organic conversion, the vineyard is managed by Franck Courrèges.
Identity
Château Le Sens is a family-run winegrowing estate located in Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux, where Franck Courrèges works as the winemaker. The property has been linked to the Courrèges family since the 18th century.
History and philosophy
The estate is rooted in a rich family history dating back to the 18th century, spanning eight generations of winegrowers. Château Le Sens is committed to an environmentally friendly approach, working towards certified organic farming with Ecocert.
Appellations
Château Le Sens produces wines under the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. The plots are split between Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux and Tabanac.
Practical information
Château Le Sens welcomes visitors for guided tours, tasting workshops, and direct cellar-door sales. Group tours can be arranged by appointment on weekdays or weekends, directly with the winemaker, Franck Courrèges. For enquiries, the estate can be contacted by telephone on 06 28 27 76 64 or by email at vignoblescourreges@gmail.com.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary appellation of Château Le Sens?
- Château Le Sens produces its wines primarily under the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation.
- What viticultural methods are used at Château Le Sens?
- Château Le Sens is committed to organic viticulture, with certification provided by Ecocert.
- Which grape varieties are grown at Château Le Sens?
- The vineyard at Château Le Sens is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec for the reds, and also grows Muscadelle.
- Is it possible to visit Château Le Sens and taste the wines?
- Yes, Château Le Sens offers guided tours and introductory tastings. Appointments can be scheduled on weekdays or weekends directly with the winemaker, Franck Courrèges.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard at Château Le Sens covers 7 hectares. It is planted on sloping hillsides with favourable exposure, within the geographical area of the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux. The parcels are notably situated in the lieux-dits of “Sens” in Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux and “Côte de Margoton” in Tabanac. The terroir consists of clay-limestone soils, gravel, sand, and silt. The grape varieties planted include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. The estate also grows Muscadelle. Some of the vines are 70 years old.
Flagship cuvées
Château Le Sens produces a barrel-aged cuvée crafted from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. This wine offers a structured profile built for several years of cellaring. Another cuvée, predominantly made of Merlot, is aged in concrete vats, emphasising a fruit-forward expression designed for early enjoyment. The estate also offers numbered magnums of its barrel-aged cuvée.
Vinification and ageing
Fermentations are conducted slowly in concrete vats. For the barrel-aged cuvée, ageing takes place over 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels, one-third of which are new. The Côtes cuvée benefits from a gentle, slow skin-contact maceration, followed by 24 months of ageing in concrete vats.
- Appellation
- Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux
- Commune
- Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux
- Wine region
- Entre-deux-Mers
- Owner
- Famille Courrèges
- Technical direction
- Franck Courrèges
- Surface area
- 7 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 70%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Malbec 5%
Practical information
- Address
- Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux
- Phone
- 06 28 27 76 64
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Visite guidée, groupe, initiation à la dégustation, dégustation, vente, sur rendez-vous en semaine ou le week-end par le vigneron Franck.