2018 Chateau Cap Saint George - Saint Georges Saint Emilion

2018 Chateau Cap Saint George - Saint Georges Saint Emilion

Vineyard : Total surface of 19 ha : 84 % Merlot / 9 % Cabernet Sauvignon / 7 % Cabernet Franc. Density of plantation : 5500 to 6666 plants/ha. Average age of the vineyard : 33. Soil : clayey and chalky. South exposure for 12 Ha, SW exposure for 7 Ha

Cultural methods : Ploughing of the soil, controlled deliberate grass growth. 2 cluster thinning (one at the closure of the grape cluster and one at the beginning of veraison). Leaves are thinned out at rising sun when flower buds appear.

Harvest : October 1st and 2nd for Merlot, October 5th for Cabernet Franc & October 9th for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemaking : Filling of the vats without crushing. Punching of the caps every 3 hours until 1070 density, then every 6 hours until 1050 density and once a day until 1000 density, then one pumping over a day till the end of the alcoholic fermentation and maceration. Temperature during alcoholic fermentations : 28° C max. Vatting period : 25 to 30 days. Malolactic fermentation 50 % in new oak barrels, 50 % in one wine old barrels.

Ageing : Coopers : Demptos : 20 %, Darnajou : 20%, Remond : 20%, Radoux : 20 %. Stockinger : 20 % (50 % new barrels, 50 % one wine barrels). Maturation on lees until spring 2019.

Final blend : 82 % Merlot / 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon / 10 % Cabernet Franc. Alcohol by vol. : 14,50°

Production : 32 600 bottles. Second label : Château Cap d’Or.