Château Villemaurine 2020

A silky and aromatic Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

The property

The earliest traces of Villemaurine date back to the Moorish era as the place was named "Ville Maure". Since 2005, Château Villemaurine has belonged to the Onclin family. Driven with passion and talent by Justin Onclin, this Grand Cru Classé produces iconic wines of the appellation, befitting its extraordinary terroir.

The vineyard

Superbly located in the heart of the village of Saint-Émilion, the vineyard of Château Villemaurine spans 7 hectares of vines. The vines, averaging 35 years old, are planted on clay-limestone soils over the famous astéries limestone.

The vintage

2020 promises to be an excellent vintner’s vintage. Early bud break was encouraged by a mild, rainy winter followed by a wet spring. Vine development was rapid with flowering in June and veraison at the beginning of July. Summer heat, combined with lower-than-average yields, led to rapid ripening and a high concentration of berries. Despite high temperatures, the clay-limestone soils provided sufficient water reserves, preserving the acidity of the fruit and imparting lovely freshness. Warm but not scorching, this vintage is marked by a beautiful gustatory balance. Harvesting, which began a week earlier than in previous vintages, allowed for the picking of perfectly healthy berries which, despite low yields, are of uniformly high quality.

Vinification and aging

Manual harvesting in crates, double vibrating sorting table, manual and mechanical sorting, gravity filling. Through short macerations and precise, expertly controlled extractions, the musts very quickly gained aromatic power and structure. Post-fermentation maceration to shape the wine’s substance. Malolactic fermentations take place in barrels, as does aging (80% new barrels, 20% one-year-old barrels).

Blend

Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Villemaurine 2020

Tasting

Color
Beautiful deep color.

Nose
Bouquet of intense black fruit aromas, combining complexity and freshness.

Palate
Silky and balanced, this wine with a silky texture reveals beautiful roundness and perfect harmony. The characteristic minerality of the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau gives this 2020 vintage a savory salinity and great elegance.