He has been straightened in 1999 with the purchase of the half part of the old Château Certan-Giraud. The other half belongs to the Moueix (Pétrus) vineyards and is now known as Château Hosanna.
A large property by Pomerol standards and one which has long been a favourite of the British Royal Family.
75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
To drink till 2020
The fruit goes into small baskets to avoid damage and these are then immediately transported to the reception and fermentation areas.
Sorted and destemmed before passing onto a second table for another sorting
Then follows the fermentation in small thermo-regulated stainless steel vats varying in size between 70 and 160 hectolitres.
The must is chilled but allowed up to 26-28ºC for the fermentation which is kick-started by the addition of cultured yeasts, and the cap is kept fresh by gentle pumping over twice-daily.
The press wine as you would expect is handled separately, but may be blended back in as taste dictates. Malolactic fermentation is in vat, in a dedicated room as mentioned above, before tasting, blending and transfer into oak during the winter months after harvest.
The proportion of new wood used is not high, up to 30%.
Robert parker: 91