This family-owned property has produced wine for three generations. At the upper reaches of the Entre-Deux-Mers appellation in the village of St. Loubès, their vineyards border on the Dordogne River. This helps temper their local microclimate and extend the growing season by a number of days allowing further maturity of the grapes at harvest.
They produce a number of wines, white, red and Clairet (a rich dry rosé wine) and the Valentons-Canteloup is one of their best. It is made from vines with an average age of 20 years planted in soil that is a mixture of clay and river alluvial deposits over a subsoil of red pebbles. This provides superior drainage, so crucial to making good wine.
Blended with Merlot (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Cabernet Franc (15%), the grapes are hand-harvested and fermented for about 20 days with careful temperature control. About 10% of the juice is bled off (saignée) early on in the fermentation to produce the Clairet, and thus increase the concentration of the wine that remains. Following the fermentation, the wine is racked off its lees, and aged in stainless steel vats for 18 months. Then a part is moved into barrels for an additional ageing of 2-4 years depending on the vintage.
This is a supple, and fruity wine with body and “muscle”, and can age well for 8-10 years. As with all good Bordeaux wines, this wine pairs well with red meats, stews, duck and game, and even a good burger. It is priced well for everyday consumption.
Valentons-Canteloup Website
This family-owned property has produced wine for three generations. At the upper reaches of the Entre-Deux-Mers appellation in the village of St. Loubès, their vineyards border on the Dordogne River. This helps temper their local microclimate and extend the growing season by a number of days allowing further maturity of the grapes at harvest.
