Chateau de Janicon 2018 AOC Graves rouge

THE SITUATION

Château Janicon stands on deep gravel soils in the North of the appellation, a stone’s throw from Pessac Leognan and the town of Martillac. The minerals in the soils have formed over centuries, rolling gently down from the mountains in the Garonne river. The large gravel soils hold in the heat to allow perfect vegetation but also let excess water drain away. The water drains into the clay – flint subsoil which allows the vine to hydrate itself during dry summers. It also makes the vine push its roots deep into the ground, making it produce superb fruit. Perfect conditions to make elegant fruity wines.

THE WINEMAKER

A true visionary, André Vincent sold his small property in Saint Estèphe in 1988 to buy Chateau Grand Bos. A parcel of wines and a few hectares of woodland at the time, but he replanted the forest with vines as his soil analyses showed that the terroir was perfect for winemaking. He renovated the winery to the stunning state that it is now and purchased a few hectares of very old vines to add class and elegance to his wine. His daughter, Marie Vincent Rochet now runs the show, just as ecologically friendly as her father, sacrificing yield for quality. Her stock in trade is passion, quality and perseverance.