La Quille Bordeaux Clairet

Xavier and Caroline Perromat took over Château Calvimont in 2012, along with Château de Cérons. The couple purchased Xavier’s parents’ estate and actively began to put their own stamp on the vines and the wines.

Château Calvimont comes from specific plots which have always belonged to the Cérons estate; the Marquis de Calvimont was the owner in the late 18th century. Viticulture is sustainable and winemaking in the gravity fed cellar is precise, producing restrained yet characterful wines with a fine minerality and balance. The vineyards are on a plateau of gravel over limestone overlooking the river Garonne, perfect terroir for Sémillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in particular.

Château Calvimont has always been part of the Château de Cérons estate and winemaking here is included in its shared sustainability programme. The owning Perromat family has been following a formal environmental management system for some time and, as of 2019, its estates are HVE certified. Château de Cérons has a gravity-fed system on several levels in its winery which aliments both concrete and stainless-steel vats. The winery has been renovated and thermo-regulation put in place to enable the vinification of both red and white wines. Xavier is committed to bringing out the essential character of Cérons terroir and revealing the best qualities it has to offer: freshness of the fruit, fine minerality, elegant and soft tannins.

Production

100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Harvesting is by hand followed by a pre-fermentation maceration in the press for 48 hours. Gentle pressing in stages with fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats, followed by racking.

Tasting Notes

Native to Bordeaux, Clairet is a light red wine, fruit forward style best served slightly chilled.

A bright, brilliant Ruby colour with hints of grenadine. The nose is very expressive with fresh red fruit, and the palate is greedy with aromas of wild strawberries, redcurrants and raspberries. A well-balanced wine with good length.

This is a delicious accompaniment to any BBQ or picnic. Wonderful with couscous dishes or beetroot salads.