Understanding the terroir
The notion of terroir
Great wines come from great terroirs. Terroir is a French word that is difficult to translate. It denotes a delimited site featuring a unique interaction between soil, subsoil, sun-exposure, and micoroclimate, along with human factors. A detailed analysis helps to bring out its full personality.
The terroir of the Counts von Neipperg estates
Each château has its own specific terroir or terroirs... Although they share similar viticultural and winemaking methods, the terroir comes through in the wine each time. Canon La Gaffelière is famous for its complexity and elegance, whereas power and minerality are the bywords for La Mondotte!
Grape varieties
Merlot is king on the Right Bank... However, Cabernet Franc also does very well on terroirs that are naturally warm. This traditional grape variety, one of the oldest in Bordeaux, develops very complex aromas and a delicate tannic structure on such soils.
Mass selection of vines
Starting in the 1990s, the oldest vines in the von Neipperg vineyards have been propagated by mass selection to preserve a high-quality genetic heritage and guarantee total independence when replanting. This is a major effort on behalf of future generations.