Clos des Menuts
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Clos des Menuts, a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru estate certified HVE 3, crafts predominantly Merlot-based wines with consultant oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt, continuing a winegrowing heritage dating back to 1538.
Identity
Clos des Menuts is a winegrowing estate belonging to Maison Rivière, situated in Saint-Émilion. It benefits from the consultancy of oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt, who began working with the property in 2007.
History and philosophy
The site's viticultural history dates back to 1538, when Franciscan monks known as the "Fray Menuts" were already tending vines here. The Rivière family acquired the estate in 1956. From 2001, the property initiated a transition towards integrated viticulture practices, completely eliminating chemical inputs by 2015. This approach culminated in achieving HVE level 3 certification in 2019. Clos des Menuts also produced its first kosher wines in 2002.
Appellations
The estate's plots predominantly produce wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation.
Practical information
The estate offers tours of its monolithic cellars, which are open to the public.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary appellation of Clos des Menuts?
- Clos des Menuts predominantly produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation.
- What grape varieties are planted in the Clos des Menuts vineyard?
- The vineyard is predominantly planted with Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- What is the vineyard's surface area and what environmental certifications does it hold?
- The vineyard covers 25 hectares. It has held Level 3 HVE (High Environmental Value) certification since 2019, following an integrated viticulture approach.
- Who is the consultant oenologist for Clos des Menuts?
- Stéphane Derenoncourt consults for Clos des Menuts, a collaboration established in 2007. He is notably involved with the cuvée L'Excellence du Clos des Menuts.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Clos des Menuts vineyard covers 25 hectares close to the village of Saint-Émilion. Grape variety plantings are dominated by Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyard management practices exclude herbicides, featuring eco-friendly soil cultivation, manual leaf-thinning, and green harvesting. Grapes are harvested by hand, followed by optical sorting in the cellar.
Flagship cuvées
Clos des Menuts
This flagship cuvée is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. The blend is composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled concrete vats with pump-overs. Ageing lasts 9 months in oak barrels, divided equally into one-third new oak, one-third one-year-old barrels, and one-third two-year-old barrels. The aromatic profile is classic, defined by fruit-driven notes of black cherry and plum from the Merlot, enhanced by spices and a limestone freshness, delivering fine tannins and good balance.
Le Petit Menuts
This second wine is a Saint-Émilion composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vinification takes place in concrete vats at moderate temperatures, with regular pump-overs. Ageing is carried out in oak barrels for 9 months.
L'Excellence du Clos des Menuts
This prestige cuvée is the result of a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 5% Cabernet Franc. It benefits from the consultancy of Stéphane Derenoncourt. Ageing takes place for 9 months in oak barrels. A kosher version is scheduled for 2026.
Vinification and ageing
Vinification across the estate's cuvées takes place in temperature-controlled concrete vats, using pump-overs for gentle extraction of aromas and tannins. Grapes are sorted using an optical sorting system. Ageing is generally carried out in oak barrels for a period of 9 months. The estate also uses its monolithic limestone cellars for storage, benefiting from naturally stable temperature and humidity levels.
- Appellations
- Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Saint-Émilion
- Commune
- Saint-Émilion
- Wine region
- Libournais
- Owner
- Maison Rivière
- Technical direction
- Stéphane Derenoncourt
- Surface area
- 25 ha
- Second wine
- Le Petit Menuts
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate news
WINERIES
L'article présente un aperçu détaillé de Maison Rivière, une entreprise familiale bordelaise fondée en 1875, reconnue pour sa production continue de vins casher depuis 1997. Basée à Saint-Émilion, la famille Rivière gère six châteaux, représentant 90 hectares de vignobles sur Saint-Émilion Grand Cru et les appellations voisines. Ils opèrent à la fois comme producteurs et négociants, garantissant une cohérence rare dans la région. La production casher de Maison Rivière a débuté en 1997 au Château de Callac, situé dans l'appellation Graves, avec l'objectif de rendre leurs vins accessibles à tous. En 2002, ils ont introduit leur premier Saint-Émilion casher, et la production est devenue annuelle depuis 2005, s'étendant à des appellations telles que Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Médoc, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur, Pomerol, Lalande de Pomerol et Saint-Estèphe. Le domaine Clos des Menuts, cœur historique du portefeuille de Maison Rivière, produit un Saint-Émilion Grand Cru classique et bénéficie de chais monolithiques historiques. Stéphane Derenoncourt y collabore depuis 2007. L'entreprise est également devenue consultante pour d'autres châteaux, aidant à l'intégration de la production casher. L'article souligne l'engagement à long terme et la qualité des vins casher de Maison Rivière, les positionnant pleinement dans la tradition bordelaise.
Read the source — kosherwine.comPractical information
- Address
- Saint-Émilion
- Contact form
- Contact the estate