Château Milens

Identity

Château Milens is a winegrowing estate located in Saint-Hippolyte, in Gironde. It is owned by Albert Bogé, who acquired it in 1998. Since 2006, Valérie and Ludovic Martin have been partners in the estate, while Alain Semmani serves as estate manager.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Milens began in 1998 with the acquisition of the property by Albert Bogé. In 2006, Valérie and Ludovic Martin joined the project as partners.

The estate is committed to an environmentally friendly approach, reflected in its Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification. In 2019, Château Milens also committed to Level 2 AREA (Agriculture Respectueuse de l'Environnement en Nouvelle-Aquitaine) certification. This approach involves rigorous fertiliser management, the adoption of good plant health practices, careful effluent management, biodiversity promotion, waste sorting, rationalised use of plant protection products, controlled water extraction, and soil management aimed at carbon sequestration.

Appellations

The wines of Château Milens are produced under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation.

Practical information

Château Milens offers visits by appointment for groups of 15 to 50 people.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Milens vineyard covers 6 hectares. The soils consist of clay, limestone, and sand over an alios (iron pan) subsoil. The grape varieties are dominated by Merlot (70%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (30%). The average age of the vines is 40 years.

Viticultural practices include double Guyot pruning, ploughing, and grass cover between alternating rows, with soil cultivation tailored to organic matter levels. Canopy management includes disbudding, suckering, green harvesting, and leaf thinning. Harvesting is 100% manual, featuring double sorting in the vineyard and upon arrival at the cellar, with grapes transported in small crates to preserve berry integrity. The average yield is 35 hectolitres per hectare.

Flagship cuvées

Château Milens offers two main cuvées: Château Milens and its second wine, Tour du Sème. The estate's wines are described as well-structured, balanced, and generous, prioritising elegance and finesse. They display deep colour and concentration while remaining authentic and harmonious.

The Château Milens cuvée is crafted from the oldest vines and is designed to develop with bottle ageing. The Tour du Sème cuvée, sourced from the estate's younger vines, offers a more approachable expression in its youth.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification at Château Milens is selective, conducted plot by plot. The vat room is equipped with temperature-controlled concrete and stainless-steel vats of small capacity. The grapes are 100% destemmed, with careful attention paid to rotation speed to avoid damaging the berries.

Maceration takes place at 30–31°C for 3 to 4 weeks, with the precise duration depending on the characteristics of the vintage. Extraction is gentle and steady, with two pump-overs per day, each equivalent to a quarter of the juice volume.

Ageing for Château Milens lasts between 18 and 24 months, with 50% new oak barrels. It takes place on the lees for two months, then on fine lees, with barrel aeration without racking until late spring. The final duration of ageing is determined through regular tastings. The second wine, Tour du Sème, is aged in one-wine barrels.