Château de Lescours Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016

A real gem here, Château de Lescours is the home of Pierre Chariol and his family, with Pierre involved in everything from tending the vineyards, to the winemaking, to maintaining the 680 year old castle he calls home.

The château was built in 1341 and is surrounded by deep moats, a defence in medieval times against invaders arriving from the Dordogne river. Henri de Navarre, King of France from 1589 to 1610, twice took refuge here. Importantly for us, in the 19th century vines were planted all around the château and since then the Chariol family have been producing Grand Cru wines of Saint-Émilion.

The 7 hectares of vineyards are immaculately kept, as a passionate Pierre explained to us the work involved throughout the year, including the challenges of a changing climate in this marginal region. 80% of vineyard plantings are given to Merlot, with 10% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, with the average vine age 50 years. The oldest vines, up to 140 years old, make up the château's top cuvée L de Lescours.