Clos de Bigos
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Clos de Bigos, a Cru Artisan in Soussans, produces Margaux wines across 1.60 ha. Managed by Nicolas Jarousseau, this family-owned estate works vines with an average age of 60 years on gravel knolls. The wines undergo a 24-month ageing process in oak barrels and amphorae.
Identity
Clos de Bigos is a winegrowing estate located in Soussans, in the Gironde. Owned by Raymond Jarousseau, it has been managed by Nicolas Jarousseau since 2020. His wife, Karine Jarousseau, contributes to the estate by handling communications and design. Their son, Paul Jarousseau, also brings his expertise as a sommelier. Clos de Bigos is officially recognised as a Cru Artisan.
History and philosophy
The family estate's winegrowing history began in the 1950s under the leadership of the grandfather, André Jarousseau. Nicolas Jarousseau took over the property in 2020. Clos de Bigos was officially included in the Crus Artisans classification for the 2022–2026 period.
The appellations
Clos de Bigos produces wines under the Margaux appellation, whose specifications were updated in November 2011. The communes comprising the Margaux appellation area are Arsac, Margaux-Cantenac, Labarde, and Soussans.
Practical information
The estate is located at 2, rue du Grand Soussans, 33460 Soussans. It can be reached by telephone on +33 (0)5 56 95 05 62 or by email at closdebigos@gmail.com. Visits and tastings are available throughout the year.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Which appellation do the wines produced by Clos de Bigos belong to?
- Clos de Bigos produces wines under the Margaux appellation. Established in 1954, this appellation encompasses several communes, including Soussans, where the estate is located.
- Who owns Clos de Bigos?
- Clos de Bigos is owned by Raymond Jarousseau. The estate is managed by Nicolas Jarousseau, who took over operations in 2020 and is supported by his wife Karine and their son Paul.
- What is the vineyard's surface area and terroir?
- The Clos de Bigos vineyard spans 1.60 hectares. It is planted on soils of gravel knolls, with an average elevation of 15 metres. The vines have an average age of 60 years, including several centenarian plots.
- What winemaking and ageing methods are used at Clos de Bigos?
- At Clos de Bigos, the harvest is sorted and destemmed by hand. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats. The ageing process lasts 24 months, combining oak barrels (one-third renewed each year) and amphorae.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Clos de Bigos vineyard covers an area of 1.60 hectares. It is planted on gravel knolls at an elevation of around 15 metres. Some plots feature vines over 100 years old, with the average vine age of the estate standing at 60 years. Soil management is carried out using a straddle tractor, employing techniques such as earthing-up and unearthing.
Signature cuvées
The estate's main cuvée is "Clos de Bigos". The grapes are hand-sorted and destemmed. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats. Ageing lasts 24 months in oak barrels (one-third renewed each year) as well as amphorae. Annual production is approximately 10,000 bottles.
- Appellation
- Margaux
- Commune
- Soussans
- Wine region
- Médoc
- Owner
- Raymond Jarousseau
- Technical direction
- Nicolas Jarousseau
- Surface area
- 1.6 ha
Estate news
12 May 2023
6 nouveaux crus artisans du Médoc pour 2022-2026 - Vitisphere
Le classement des crus artisans du Médoc a été révisé pour la période 2022-2026, incluant 33 châteaux. Ce classement, moins connu que celui des crus classés en 1855 ou des crus bourgeois, met en lumière des propriétés où le propriétaire s'implique personnellement à toutes les étapes de la production viticole, de la vigne à la commercialisation. Six nouvelles propriétés rejoignent ce classement pour le millésime 2022, dont cinq en appellation Médoc et une en Haut-Médoc, soulignant un certain renouvellement générationnel. Maxime Saint-Martin, président du Syndicat des Crus Artisans, indique que le classement précédent (2017-2021) comptait 36 propriétés et que des départs ont eu lieu, notamment suite à des départs à la retraite sans succession. Les nouveaux entrants pour la période 2022-2026 sont le Château Bejac Romelys, Château Gadet Terrefort, Château Garance Haut Grenat, Château Haut Brisey, Château Haut Couloumey et Château Haut Gravat pour l'AOP Médoc, ainsi que le Domaine de la Garenne pour l'AOP Haut-Médoc. La sélection repose sur l'implication totale du vigneron et la qualité des vins, évaluée par un jury d'experts indépendants, comme le précise Maxime Saint-Martin. Parmi les châteaux déjà reconnus, l'article mentionne aussi les Châteaux La baie de Lalo, La Hourcade, La Tessonnière, les Graves de Loirac, l’Evasion, Saint Gregoire, Vieux Gadet en Médoc, et de Coudot, de Lauga, d’Osmond, du Ha, Grand Brun, Micalet, Moutte Blanc, Pey Mallet, Tour du Goua, Vieux Gabarey en Haut-Médoc, ainsi que Dacher de Delmonte en Listrac, des Graviers, les Barraillots, Moutte Blanc, Clos de Bigos en Margaux, La Fleur Lauga en Saint-Julien, et Graves de Pez, Linot, Marceline en Saint-Estèphe. Ce classement, fondé sur l'arrêté du 21 octobre 2022, sera effectif pour les millésimes de 2022 à 2026 inclus.
Read the source — vitisphere.comPractical information
- Address
- 2, rue du Grand Soussan, 33460 SOUSSANS
- Phone
- 05 56 95 05 62
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Toute l'année