Chateau Pierrefitte, Lalande de Pomerol

Description

Château Pierrefitte is an organically certified red Bordeaux wine from Lalande-de-Pomerol, made by Vignobles Massonie in Néac, just across the Barbanne from Pomerol. It’s a Merlot-led blend, and the wine is known for ripe red-fruit character, floral notes, spice, and an elegant, medium-bodied style.

Château Pierrefitte Winemaking

• Grape Blend: A traditional blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Vine Age: Sourced from established vines with an impressive average age of 55 years.
• Harvest: Grapes are harvested using both manual and mechanical methods
• Sorting: Precise sorting directly at the vineyard using a vibrating table and a Mistral grape sorting system.
• Vinification: Vinified traditionally, including a full malolactic fermentation.
• Ageing Process: Matured for approximately 12 months, split evenly with 50% in used oak barriques and 50% in vats.
• Bottling: Cellared and bottled two years after harvest
• Production: 20,000 bottles

Acquired by Famille Massonie in 1958

Château Pierrefitte is produced by Vignobles Massonie, who are also the principal owners of Château Perron. Château Perron is located near the 12th-century church of Lalande de Pomerol, which was built by the Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta. Perron was built in 1642 and is one of the oldest properties in the appellation. Château Pierrefitte is closely associated with Perron and is sometimes referred to as the “second wine” of Château Perron.

Investment from the Crouvezier Family

The estate has been owned by the same family for three generations, having been acquired by Auguste Massonie and his son Michel-Pierre in 1958. Since 2000, Michel-Pierre’s three children, Béatrice, Bertrand and Thibaut, have represented Château Pierrefitte. With investment and a new partnership with the Crouvezier family from the Vosges, the estate has expanded its vineyards from 23 hectares to 36 hectares.

The vineyards are planted with 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Since 2019, the estate has been in organic conversion, certified by Ecocert.

The Lalande-de-Pomerol Appellation

Lalande de Pomerol is an appellation located just north of the renowned Pomerol region in Bordeaux, France. Whilst it may not enjoy the same level of fame as its illustrious neighbour, it offers a great alternative for those seeking high-quality wines at more accessible prices.

Typical Lalande-de-Pomerol vineyards are planted on a mix of clay and gravel soils, and the region benefits from a temperate maritime climate which allows the grapes to steadily ripen, resulting in balanced wines with good acidity. Merlot is the dominant grape variety.