Château Les Chapelles 2019 is a classic red Bordeaux from Montagne-Saint-Émilion, crafted by Christian Durand on a small family estate near Néac. The wine comes from a special part of the Right Bank, where Montagne-Saint-Émilion lies directly between major neighbours like Pomerol, Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Saint-Émilion. The style is traditional Bordeaux, with Merlot for suppleness, Cabernet Franc for structure, and Malbec for extra depth and spice.
Château Les Chapelles is located in Montagne-Saint-Émilion, an appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank known for producing red wines with ripe fruit, firm structure, and fresh length.
• Location / Origin: The estate is near Néac, on the border of Lalande-de-Pomerol, Pomerol, and Montagne-Saint-Émilion. This places Château Les Chapelles in a compact zone where Merlot-dominated Bordeaux plays the leading role.
• Estate Size: The family estate spans 3 hectares. This small scale suits the boutique style of Château Les Chapelles, with great attention to selection and fruit expression.
• Appellation: What is Montagne-Saint-Émilion? Montagne-Saint-Émilion is a red Bordeaux appellation next to Saint-Émilion, known for wines with ripe red and black fruit, firm yet elegant tannins, and good aging potential.
• Soil & Terroir: Montagne-Saint-Émilion primarily features clay-limestone and gravel-rich soils. Clay-limestone provides structure and depth, while gravel contributes to refinement and drainage.
Château Les Chapelles is made from classic grape varieties of the Bordeaux Right Bank.
• Merlot – Montagne-Saint-Émilion: Merlot forms the supple core of the wine, providing roundness, juicy fruit, and elegant softness.
• Cabernet Franc – Montagne-Saint-Émilion: Cabernet Franc adds extra structure, aromatic tension, and a finely spicy undertone.
• Malbec – Montagne-Saint-Émilion: Malbec gives the blend more color, tannin, and dark fruit depth, adding extra power to the wine.
The vinification follows a traditional Bordeaux approach, with an emphasis on carefully selected grapes and pure fruit expression.
• Harvest & Selection: The grapes are harvested by hand and selected twice: first in the vineyard and then again in the cellar on a sorting table. This double selection ensures that only healthy and ripe fruit is used.
• Fermentation: Christian Durand works with a combination of stainless steel and concrete vats. Stainless steel preserves the purity of the fruit, while concrete allows the wine to develop calmly with a natural, even structure.
• Aging / Oak Maturation: The influence of oak is deliberately kept subtle, so that the character of the grapes remains central. This allows Château Les Chapelles to retain its classic Bordeaux profile with fruit, structure, and elegance.
