Vignobles Denis Barraud

Identity

Vignobles Denis Barraud is managed by Denis Barraud, in partnership with Franck Descudé since 1991. The Barraud family has been established on this winegrowing estate in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Gironde, since the 19th century, handed down from father to son through the generations.

History and Philosophy

The origins of Vignobles Denis Barraud date back to the late 19th century, when Pierre-Henry Descambes, grandfather of Denis Barraud, founded the estate. Denis Barraud has been running it since 1971. The estate implements viticultural practices such as green harvesting, cover cropping, and bud rubbing in order to manage yields. Vignobles Denis Barraud has held HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification since 1 October 2019 and is committed to the "Agriculture Respectueuse de l'Environnement en Nouvelle-Aquitaine" (AREA) initiative.

The Appellations

Vignobles Denis Barraud produces wines under several appellations, the flagship being Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. The estate also produces Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux wines. The 36 hectares are divided into 7 hectares in Saint-Émilion and 29 hectares in Bordeaux Supérieur.

Practical Information

Vignobles Denis Barraud is located at 355, lieu dit Port de Branne, 33330 Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens. The estate can be contacted by telephone on 05 57 84 54 73 and by email at contact@denis-barraud.com or denis.barraud@wanadoo.fr. Direct sales at the property are available. The tasting room and shop are open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:45 pm. Sunday visits are available by appointment. Mail order is not offered.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard covers a total area of 36 hectares. The vines average around 40 years of age, with plots ranging from 35 to 50 years old for the Saint-Émilion appellation and 35 years old for the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation. Soil types vary, including sandy-gravel, deep gravel with a cool subsoil of iron pan (crasse de fer), as well as sandy and clay-limestone soils. The terroir for the Lynsolence cuvée consists of gravel over iron-rich soil. Meanwhile, the Génissac terroir is characterised by a clay-limestone ridge. Red grape varieties dominate the vineyard plantings.

Flagship Cuvées

Vignobles Denis Barraud offers several red wine cuvées alongside a clairet. Among the reds is the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Lynsolence, created in 1998 by Sandra Barraud, Denis Barraud's daughter. This wine is crafted from 100% Merlot and originates from a 2.5-hectare plot. The Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Les Gravières is another red wine, made entirely from Merlot. The Saint-Émilion cuvée Haut-Renaissance is also produced. In the Bordeaux appellation, the estate crafts Château de La Cour d'Argent. Finally, the De Lyne cuvée is a Bordeaux Clairet.

Vinification and Ageing

Harvesting is carried out by hand, and grape preparation includes strict sorting table selection, followed by destemming and gentle crushing. Macerations are long, featuring a cold pre-fermentation phase using dry ice and a post-fermentation phase with regular punch-downs (pigeage). Alcoholic fermentation is conducted at relatively low temperatures. For the Lynsolence cuvée, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled wooden vats and new 400-litre oak barrels. Wine ageing, which follows malolactic fermentation, is conducted in two air-conditioned cellars. The Lynsolence and Château Les Gravières cuvées are aged in new barrels, whereas the other cuvées are aged in once-used barrels. Ageing on the lees is practiced, using the OXO system to rotate the barrels. Bottling is carried out under vacuum in an insulated, air-conditioned facility.