Clos Vieux Taillefer

Identity

Clos Vieux Taillefer is a winegrowing estate located in Libourne. It is managed by Nicolas Robin, who also acts as vineyard manager and cellar master. The estate is owned by Nicolas and Alexandra Robin. Stéphane Derenoncourt has provided oenological consultancy to the estate since 2009, alongside Michel Rolland, who also acts as a consultant.

History and philosophy

The history of Clos Vieux Taillefer dates back to 1875, when the Robin family acquired the parcel. The estate was taken over in 2008 by Nicolas and Alexandra Robin. In 2009, the property was expanded. The vinification cellar was constructed in 2010, followed by the addition of a barrel cellar in 2013.

The estate employs sustainable viticulture. Cultural practices include ploughing, soil cultivation, mating disruption (confusion sexuelle), leaf thinning, and green harvesting. The management of treatments and soil conditioners is also conducted sustainably, with no chemical weedkillers.

The appellations

The estate's parcels produce wines under the Pomerol appellation. The terroirs are linked to the communes of Saint-Émilion and Libourne.

Winemaking and ageing

Winemaking begins with gravity-led vatting via conveyor belt into small, temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Extraction is carried out through gentle punch-downs. The wine is then racked with its fine lees into barrels for malolactic fermentation. Ageing takes place in new oak barrels, renewed every year, on fine lees for around 14 months.

Practical information

The estate is not open to the public for visits. For any inquiries, the estate can be contacted by telephone on 05 57 40 13 76 or by email at visites@vignoblesrobin.com. The estate address is 12 chemin de Plince, 33500 Libourne.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The vineyard of Clos Vieux Taillefer extends over 3.80 hectares. The soils are sandy, enriched with iron pan (crasse de fer). The average age of the vines is around 40 years. The predominant grape variety cultivated is Merlot. Harvesting is carried out by hand.

Key cuvées

The wines produced by Clos Vieux Taillefer are red wines. They are distinguished by hand-harvesting. The average production is 22,000 bottles.