To understand the terroir of Château Mauvesin Barton, a little curiosity is necessary. You need to consider not only the soil but also the climate, the topology and the geology.
The vine plots of Château Mauvesin Barton are located in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation. These parcels, offering extraordinary diversity, each allow the grapes to reveal their most subtle aromas: A clay-limestone soil for the Merlot and then fine gravel for the Cabernet Sauvignon. The geographic situation of Château Mauvesin Barton means it enjoys an oceanic climate, bringing optimal quality for grape growing.
The Moulis-en-Médoc appellation nestles between Margaux and Saint-Julien, a little off the famous châteaux road. Taking advantage of being slightly distanced in this way, Moulis has developed its own identity and this personality can be found in the wines.
The AOC Moulis is now the oldest of all the AOCs in the Médoc. It is also the smallest Médoc vineyard with only 610 hectares of vines in production, but it has nevertheless made its name among the most prestigious appellations in the area.
Château Mauvesin Barton has a 55-hectare vineyard comprising of 54% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet. The average age of the vines is 35 years.
During harvest time at Château Mauvesin Barton, the selected grapes are brought into the vinification cellar for the fermentation and maceration phase. With a surface area of 630m2, it comprises 24 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats of different volumes. This means each plot can be vinified separately, allowing greater freedom and precision when choices are made for blending. This vat room has also been equipped with an upper floor to enable reception and manipulation of the harvest by gravity, again to improve quality.
When the maceration is finished, the wine will be transferred to French oak barrels for the ageing process : one third in new barrels made by 3 different cooperages, one third in barrels having already aged one vintage, and one third in used barrels coming from Château Léoville Barton, Second Classified Growth, also owned by the Barton family.
The barrel ageing lasts between 12 and 15 months. The barrels are placed in the 2 ageing cellars at Château Mauvesin Barton. The first cellar is the result of the restoration of the previous vat room, now a spacious area made of stone and wood. The second ageing cellar was constructed on the site of the historic cellar and is around 50 metres long, allowing it to house up to 500 barrels on a bed of gravel designed to regulate humidity.
The wine of Château Mauvesin Barton is made with all the expertise of Mélanie Sartorius and Bruno Petit along with the collaboration of consultant oenologist, Éric Boissenot. Bottling takes place on the property.