Portraits of winemakers

LE DOMAINE DE GRAVES D'ARTHUS, HAPPINESS IN SAINT-ÉMILION

328 Views Posted on: 2024-05-31
 

The Graves d’Arthus Estate: Happiness in Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is a name that resonates far beyond the world of wine. As a mythical appellation, this terroir surrounding the hill of the village with the same name produces some of Bordeaux’s finest wines. Here, it’s not only the vines that thrive. Since 2016, Dominique Corbières and his wife Marie Lise, owners of Château Graves D’Arthus, have been nurturing both their vines and their family happiness. This ideal life is reflected in their 2016 cuvée, “Cuvée du Bonheur,” named to mark the birth of their first grandchild. Dominique has been immersed in the traditions of Saint-Émilion winemakers since childhood, following in the footsteps of his father, the estate's previous owner.

A Siliceous Terroir on the Banks of the Dordogne

The château is located in the southern part of the appellation, close to the banks of the Dordogne. The Dartus locality features predominantly sandy gravel soils. These soils allow the vines to root deeply and reflect the heat accumulated during the day. They are particularly well-suited for viticulture near a water source, as they are water-demanding. Hence, the estate's proximity to the Dordogne is ideal. Some plots also have very fertile silty soils. These soils produce wines of great finesse, light with soft tannins. They enable the fruit and minerality of their Saint-Émilion Merlot to fully express themselves. The vines, averaging sixty years in age, have had ample time to develop deep roots and draw from the soil’s rich nutrients.

Elegant and Voluptuous Red Wines

This exceptional terroir doesn’t require unnecessary human intervention. Dominique is aware of this and works according to sustainable agriculture principles, earning him level 1 of the High Environmental Value certification. With his vines, he produces a 100% Merlot red wine under the AOC Saint-Émilion. Each vintage is unique. The 2015 cuvée features notes of red fruits and violet, with a bold and fruity attack. In 2016, you find notes of cherry, leather, and jasmine in a deep wine with a pleasant sweetness. The 2018 vintage retains jasmine but is dominated by bold blackcurrant notes. It is now softer, fresher, and more mineral. The year 2016 also marks a special event and a special cuvée. The "Cuvée du Bonheur," crafted in honor of their first grandchild, is made from the grapes of the estate's oldest vines (80 to 100 years old). The result is a very rich and ample wine, full-bodied with complex aromas: smoke, toasted bread, jasmine, leather, and fig jam. A thoughtful gesture that, hopefully, the newborn will be able to savor once they come of age.