CONTRAST WINES
CHATEAU LE CHATELET
I am flattered and privileged to have an exclusive right to import Chateau Le Chatelet to North Carolina, and since I am the only existing importer in the U.S., this means that I am the sole importer for this exceptional wine in the United States. This is reasonably important, as Bordeaux Grand Crus Classés, the ultra top wines from Bordeaux, are almost all sold through the "Place de Bordeaux," an army of negotiants who all sell the same wines to whoever want to purchase them.
So while any wine distributor in North Carolina is able to purchase and sell a Chateau Lafitte, a Chateau Margaux etc, only a select few visionary wine shops and Restaurants in connection with Contraste Wines, may offer you Chateau Le Chatelet, one of the very best kept secrets in Saint Emilion.
So while any wine distributor in North Carolina is able to purchase and sell a Chateau Lafitte, a Chateau Margaux etc, only a select few visionary wine shops and Restaurants in connection with Contraste Wines, may offer you Chateau Le Chatelet, one of the very best kept secrets in Saint Emilion.
Romans were already producing wine in this exceptional location in the 3rd Century, in this plot with an ideal southern sun exposition tempered by oceanic winds. The Berjal family has owned this vineyard for 5 generations, and Julien the current owner was born on the property, and grew up there, he knows virtually every vine.
It produces about 15,000 bottles a year, almost all on allocation.
VARIETALS: 80 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Franc.
Vines are in organic agriculture transition
VINIFICATION: soft extraction, Temperature controlled concrete tanks, stainless steel tanks opened for "pigeages," Whole grape maceration in barrel (20%), soft tank rest, malolactique fermentation in new barrels. Aged for 12 to 18 months in new barrels (50%) and 1 wine barrels (50%).
2018 VINTAGE:
This vintage is especially good in Saint Emilion, yielding very fruity wines in general not too solar. This one is remarkably concentrated, velvety and expressive, with dominant savors of black currant and cherries. The structure is very profound and solid yet supple. All in all this is a wine delivering an astonishing level of enjoyment totally aligned with its pedigree, to enjoy with a nice piece of beef, duck or pork.
WINE SHOPS:
* Raleigh (NC) Seaboard Wine: vintage 2018
* New Bern (NC) Savi's Vine: vintage 2018
* Greenville (NC) Jefferson's: vintage 2018
RESTAURANTS:
* Raleigh (NC): East End Bistrot: vintage 2018
Saint Emilion seen from Chateau Le Chatelet
Contrast Wines Allocation of Chateau Le Chatelet 2018 before it was labelled and put in wood crates.
Vines in Organic Transition at Chateau Le Chatelet, notice all the poppies, sign of an agriculture respectful of nature
