Clos Saint-Martin

Identity

Clos Saint-Martin is a Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion. It is owned and run by Sophie Fourcade-Reiffers. Oenologist Julien Viaud and cellar master Benoit Turbet-Delof oversee the winemaking. The estate is located in Saint-Émilion (33330).

History and philosophy

The history of Clos Saint-Martin is intertwined with that of the Reiffers family, owners since 1850. The vineyard once surrounded the presbytery of the Saint-Martin parish. Sophie Fourcade-Reiffers has managed the estate since 1998 and became its owner in 2013, following the sale of other family properties. The estate is dedicated to environmental stewardship, holding Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE 3) certification. Winemaking practices have evolved over time, with the introduction of barrel fermentation in 2008, followed by terracotta amphorae from 2016 onwards.

Appellations

Clos Saint-Martin produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation.

Practical information

The estate is located in Saint-Émilion, France, 33330 (B.P 20017). For any enquiries or visits, you can contact the estate by telephone on 06 11 48 71 11 or by email at contact@clos-saintmartin.fr. Visits are by appointment only. The tasting cellar is open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The estate does not offer cellar-door sales, accommodation, or on-site dining, but can accommodate groups and provides coach access. Spoken languages are English, Spanish, and French.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Clos Saint-Martin vineyard covers an area of 1.36 hectares. The soils consist of Asteria limestone and clay-limestone over bedrock. Planting density is 8,000 vines/ha, and the vines have an average age of 40 years. The grape varieties are predominantly Merlot (80%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (15%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). Harvesting is carried out by hand, and vineyard management includes horse-drawn ploughing. Non-systemic treatments are applied.

Flagship cuvées

The estate's primary wine is Clos Saint-Martin Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion, a red wine. It is crafted from a blend dominated by Merlot (75% or 80% depending on the vintage), complemented by Cabernet Franc (15%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5% or 10%). These wines are renowned for their structure and ageing potential.

Vinification and ageing

Harvesting is performed by hand, followed by a triple sorting of the grapes. Winemaking incorporates cold maceration. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in new oak barrels (50%) and terracotta amphorae (50%), or entirely in oak barrels. Ageing is carried out in 100% new oak barrels for a period of 15 to 18 months, depending on the vintage. Average annual production is approximately 5,000 bottles.