Astéries de Darche 2022, Merlot in amphora (91/100 RVF)

Château Cazebonne The single plots, Astéries de Darche

Merlot in amphora 2022.

Organic wine certified by FR-BIO-16 and DEMETER

Merlot grapes harvested on 14th and 16th September 2022.

100% Merlot from a very distinctive gravelly terroir, where the limestone rock (that of Saint-Emilion) surfaces at a depth of 1 to 3 metres.

The structure is fuller-bodied than Cabernet-Sauvignon, but the ageing process has allowed this lovely wine for laying down to develop a beautiful patina. Already very appealing.

Vinification with natural yeasts. Aged in amphora and barrels for 12 months.

2022 Vintage:

91/100 : Pierre Citerne in the Revue du Vin de France, July 2024

'Supple, lightly extracted, elegant and flavoursome, this pure Merlot expresses itself with delicacy, favouring aroma over substance. A delightful floral note seals the appeal of its fragrance.'

2019 Vintage:

Pierre Citerne in the Revue du Vin de France, July 2020

'After two blank years due to frost and then hail, Jean-Baptiste Duquesne's project, led by David Poutays (a winemaker on the other side of the Garonne, at Clos de Mounissens), can finally take off. It will need to be followed closely, as we feel it is capable of reviving the Graves sector, by questioning its viticultural practices and history (replanting historical grape varieties, in the footsteps of Loïc Pasquet of Liber Pater). On the beautiful gravelly terroir of Saint-Pierre de Mons, a welcome breath of fresh air is blowing.'