Cinsaut is a red grape variety iconic to the south of France, where it is highly prized for crafting fruity rosé wines and supple red wines. It is notably found in the Languedoc, Provence, and the southern Rhône Valley. Its historical presence in Bordeaux, though marginal and virtually non-existent today, bears witness to a rich ampelographic past, well before the progressive homogenisation of the vineyard.

Nineteenth-century archives reveal the existence of Cinsaut in Bordeaux under various names, such as Prunaley or Gros de Lacaze. Its cultivation was likely anecdotal, often in complanted plots alongside diverse varieties. This presence was perhaps due to more intense exchanges of plant material at that time, when its productivity or relative resilience to certain conditions could have held local interest for winegrowers committed in Bordeaux.

However, Cinsaut never truly found its place in Bordeaux. This Mediterranean grape variety proved ill-suited to the wetter Atlantic climate, and its thin-skinned berries, along with sometimes challenging ripening, could not compete with the vigour and terroir adaptation of traditional Bordeaux varieties such as Merlot and the Cabernets. Moreover, the profile of the wines produced—supple, fruity, and generally pale in colour—did not match the market expectations of the era, which favoured deep, powerful, age-worthy red wines.

This is why Cinsaut was progressively set aside during the establishment of the Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée and the specialisation of the Bordeaux vineyard. At Château Cazebonne, our commitment to forgotten Bordeaux grape varieties drives us to explore this history. Although Cinsaut represents an intriguing chapter of regional viticultural history, it is not part of our replanting programme, which focuses on Bordeaux's indigenous genetic heritage. Our work aims to revive these forgotten varieties, such as Bouchalès or Saint-Macaire, to offer a fresh expression of the terroir in accordance with biodynamic principles.

Ampelographic profile

This work of memory and perseverance is only possible thanks to the invaluable support of the many wine lovers who have embraced our wines and share our passion for rediscovering Bordeaux's viticultural heritage. You too can become part of this story by downloading our book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", testing your knowledge with our wine quizzes, or exploring our online boutique to discover our cuvées made from these heritage varieties.