Château Saint-Ourens

Identity

Château Saint-Ourens is a winegrowing estate located in Langoiran. It is owned by winegrower Michel Maës and Yvette Maës. EARL Michel Maës is the production entity of the estate.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Saint-Ourens has been shaped by the succession of four families. Michel Maës, an agricultural engineer originally from northern France, purchased the vineyard in 1990 and settled there that same year. The estate undertook a conversion to organic farming in 2016.

The appellations

Château Saint-Ourens produces wines under the Bordeaux blanc, Côtes-de-Bordeaux and Cadillac appellations. Certain specific cuvées may also be produced under the Bordeaux clairet appellation.

Practical information

Château Saint-Ourens is located at 57 Route de Capian, 33550 Langoiran, France.

The estate offers tastings and direct sales at the property. The telephone number is 05 56 67 39 45 and the email address is maesmichel@hotmail.com.

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The vineyard (terroir)

The vineyard of Château Saint-Ourens covers a total surface area of 12 hectares, including 4 hectares dedicated to specific cuvées. It is situated on the hillsides of Langoiran, characterised by clay-limestone soils. The vineyard is a single, continuous block.

The estate's grape varieties comprise Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Cabernet Franc (10%).

Harvesting for the white wines (crémant, dry white and Cadillac) is carried out by hand, while harvesting for the red wines is mechanised, with sorting upon arrival at the cellar.

Flagship cuvées

The estate offers a diverse range of wines, including crémants, dry whites, rosés, and reds in the Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation—some aged in barrels—as well as sweet Cadillac wines.

Château Saint-Ourens rouge

The red wines of Château Saint-Ourens are often crafted from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Certain vintages, such as 2002, can be Merlot-dominant (70%), complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon. Others, such as the 2007, 2014 and 2015 vintages, may feature equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, or be dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (60%). These wines generally show a well-balanced structure. A Prestige cuvée is also produced and aged in new oak barrels.

Château Saint-Ourens blanc

The estate's dry white wines, under the Bordeaux blanc appellation, are mainly produced from Sémillon, sometimes complemented by Sauvignon. The 2010 vintage was blended with 85% Sauvignon. The 2013 vintage is a pure Sauvignon, while the 2005 is almost exclusively Sémillon with a small addition of Sauvignon. The 2004 consists of 80% Sémillon alongside Sauvignon. These wines stand out for their freshness and aromatic expression.

Château Saint-Ourens rosé

The estate produces still rosé wines, such as the 2003 and 2007 vintages. The grape blend for these rosés is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%). These wines are generally vinified and aged in vats.

Cuvée Ôde à Dune et Rémo

This red cuvée from the 2018 vintage is crafted with a dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%). It is aged for 12 months in new Allier oak barrels. Around 8,600 bottles are produced.

Cuvée ALICE

Under the Cadillac appellation, this cuvée is a sweet botrytised wine aged for 12 months.

Vinification and ageing

The white and rosé wines are mainly aged in vats. The red wines, on the other hand, can benefit from ageing in oak barrels, sometimes for 2 to 4 years. Cuvée Ôde à Dune et Rémo is aged for 12 months in new Allier oak barrels. The Cadillac is also aged for 12 months.