Domaine de Merlet

Identity

Domaine de Merlet is a family-owned winegrowing estate located in Léognan, in the Gironde. It is currently managed by Joël Tauzin and Marie-Noëlle, representatives of the Tauzin family, who have owned the estate for several generations.

History and Philosophy

The history of Domaine de Merlet dates back to 1763, the year the chartreuse manor house was built. The property was then known as Motheau or Montaut. In 1877, Jean Comagères acquired Merlet. The estate enjoyed a revival in 1989, when three brothers and sister, descendants of Jean Comagères, replanted one hectare of vines and renovated the buildings. The first vintage produced was released in 1991.

The estate's viticultural philosophy is focused on sustainable farming (agriculture raisonnée), characterised by the absence of chemical weedkillers and insecticides. Complete soil cultivation is practised to oxygenate and aerate the ground.

The Appellations

Domaine de Merlet produces red wines under the Pessac-Léognan appellation. The estate also crafts a rosé under the Bordeaux rosé appellation and a clairet under the Bordeaux clairet appellation.

Practical Information

Domaine de Merlet is located at 140 avenue de Cadaujac, 33850 Léognan. The estate can be reached by telephone on +33 5 56 89 20 19 and by email at domainedemerlet@gmail.com.

The cellar door shop is open on Mondays from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:30. The estate offers guided tours of the vineyard followed by a tasting of its various wines. These tours are free of charge and can accommodate groups of 5 to 20 people. Pets are welcome, and an on-site shop is available. Card payments are accepted. Guided tours are conducted in English, Spanish, and French.

Find out more

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Domaine de Merlet vineyard extends over 4.3 hectares, dedicated exclusively to red wines. The average age of the vines is around 30 years. The soils consist of light, well-drained gravels (graves) deposited by the Garonne.

The grape varieties planted are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), complemented by Merlot (30%). Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand.

Signature Cuvées

The estate offers several cuvées. The "Cuvée Classique" is a red wine crafted from a blend of 30% Merlot and 70% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is aged for 12 months with 30% new oak barrels, and its ageing potential is estimated at between 3 and 10 years. A magnum format of this cuvée is also available.

The "Cuvée Prestige", also a red Pessac-Léognan wine, is composed of equal parts Merlot (50%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (50%). Its ageing lasts 18 months in 100% new oak barrels, offering a cellar potential of 5 to 15 years.

The "Rosé de saignée", made from Merlot, is aged in oak casks.

The "Bordeaux clairet" is vinified and aged in barrel for 7 months, with bâtonnage on fine lees.

Vinification and Ageing

Vinification of the red wines includes sorting, destemming, and crushing prior to fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats at 28°C. Maceration lasts approximately 4 weeks, with regular pump-overs (remontages). Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats.

For ageing, the estate uses French oak barrels from coopers such as Nadalié, Marques, Brive Tonneliers, and Vinéa. Barrel toasting ranges from light to medium. The "Cuvée Classique" is aged for 12 months with 30% new oak, while the "Cuvée Prestige" benefits from 18 months of ageing in 100% new oak barrels. The rosé de saignée is also aged in barrels, and the clairet is aged in oak for 7 months with bâtonnage on fine lees.