The winemaker's pride
Family vineyard where innovation is at the service of tradition. The exploitation was implemented in 1850 by Mr Lambège, under the name of Château Moulin de Cassagne 1er Cru Saint Emilion. In 1947, Mr. Fretier became the owner of the vineyard and named it Château Palais Cardinal, in relation to the location of his winery in the outbuildings of the Palais Cardinal. If the vine has always had its place here, the vineyard has experienced a major turning point between 2008 and today with Nicolas Ballande, co-manager of the family business. The Château's vineyard, located in the commune of Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, extends south of Saint-Emilion on alluvial, clay, gravel and sandy soil, drained by the stream "La Fuie". The parcels are located in the following areas: Cateau (next to the first parcel of Château Valandraud - 1er Grand Cru Classé), Montbousquet (Grand Cru Classé) and Bigaroux. All the terroirs of Palais Cardinal give it a unique identity! The vines, with an average age of 40 years, are composed of Merlot (73%), Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Cabernet Franc (4%) which flourish on a 30-hectare terroir where biodiversity is the order of the day, returning to a culture close to that of our great-grandparents (Agroforestry.) A return to tradition that goes hand in hand with innovation: - Sorting of the berries by densimetry: Machine intended to obtain by successive sorting of the berries an irreproachable quality. Atypical barrels: Steam heating in order to preserve the identity of our terroirs and to highlight the fruit. - Amphoras : 100% Mono-varietal, 100% Amphora, 100% exclusive - Viti Rover : Robot mower in the vineyards to limit human intervention / Tractors in our plots.
