Château Potensac

The vineyards of Potensac are located in Ordonnac, in the Médoc appellation, and incorporate the vines of three properties managed as a single entity, these being Potensac, Gallais-Bellevue and Lassalle. The terroir has the familiar alluvial gravel of the left bank with some red clay, and the vines cover about 53 hectares in all, located between St-Yzans and St-Germain-d’Esteuil.

During recent decades the vineyard has been slightly dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon which accounts for about 60% of the vines, with approximately 25% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc in addition, planted at an average 8,000 vines/ha. But with the purchase of new Merlot vines there is naturally a swing towards this variety, and it is notable that the 2005 vintage included more Merlot than Cabernet (41% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc) in the final blend.

Yields are restricted to approximately 35 hl/ha, and once harvested by hand the fruit is fermented at a maximum temperature of 28ºC in stainless steels and concrete vats, with 15 to 18 days maceration and constant pumping over. There is a rigorous selection for the grand vin Château Potensac, with about 40-45% of the crop going to the second wine, which today is bottled as La Chapelle de Potensac, although Château Lassalle has also been used as a second label in the past. Potensac will see up to 16 months in those aforementioned oak barrels, before an egg white fining and then bottling without filtration.

The grand vin is Château Potensac and the second vine is La Chapelle de Potensac. The total production is about 25,000 cases per year.

Overview: The estate’s Grand Vin vineyards are located west of Ordonnac village. Its rows of vines grow on a double thalweg of gravelly-clay. They produce a very fine wine with tight texture, great richness and wonderful freshness. On the palate, the wine is pure and powerful, the tannins dense and spicy, and the finish of great depth with glorious aromas. Because of these qualities, Château Potensac is often considered to represent the “pure Medoc style”. It should be noted that Potensac was the only “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” of its appellation.

Appellation: Médoc

Terroir: Château Potensac’s vineyards extend mainly over hilly mounds with a limestone subsoil covered with clay and gravel outcrops containing a high proportion of gravel (“graves”). These limestone soils are very similar to those found in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. On this very special terroir, some plots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc planted over 80 years ago still produce perfectly ripe, healthy grapes. The hamlet of Potensac was already cited in the first edition of Féret for the special characteristics and longevity of its wines.

Production Area: 84 hectares

Average Age of the Vines: 38 years old

Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Plant Density: 7,700 vines/hectare

Overview: Chapelle de Potensac was created and first sold by Jean-Hubert Delon with the 2002 vintage. This elegant, traditionally made second wine possesses beautiful balance founded on smoothness and freshness. Its terroir of fine gravel and clay sands can be found in various parts of Potensac’s historical terroir, on the edge of the village. The Chapel, reproduced on the bottle’s packaging, stands in the center of the hamlet. It is characterized by the absence of its Neo-Gothic tower.

Appellation: Médoc

Production Area: 84 hectares

Average Age of the Vines: 38 years old

Grape Varieties: Merlot 49.6%, Cabernet Sauvignon 33.7%, Cabernet Franc 15.7%, Petit Verdot 0.9%

Plant Density: 7,700 vines/hectare