Owners
Gérard et Catherine Canuel
Creation of estate
Purchase of vineyard and creation of winery in 2006
Acreage
1,08 ha (2.7 acres)
Soils
Clayey limestone on Saint Emilion hillside, sandy and clayey on extension of foothill
Age of vines
40 years
Grape varieties
75% Merlot / 25% Cabernet franc
Average density of plantation
5500 vines/ha
Grape Growing
• Pruning with two main branches allows spreading of foliage and bunches
• Thinning out of leaves and bunches ensures optimum maturity
• Manual harvest in small trays
• Environmental certification (HVE)
Winemaking
• Harvest sorted before and after de-stemming
• Vinification in small stainless steel vats dedicated to each plot, with temperature control
• Cuvaison : 3 to 4 weeks, with maceration
• Enology Counsel : Hubert de Boüard Consulting
Ageing
15 months in French oak barrels
Annual production
5000 to 6000 bottles
Marketing
France 70%, Export 30% (West Africa, USA, Hong-Kong, Singapore, Belgium, Netherlands)
The dream had been maturing since we had lived in Bordeaux, in the eighties, and since our initiation to wine in a wine tasting club. Then, at the end of 2003, after more than 30 years in Oil industry, I decide to start a new life in wine. “From black gold to red gold, a new and exciting alchemy” as summarized by my cousin Hubert de Boüard, co-owner of Château Angélus, who immediately gives us his support and helpful advice.