Chateau Tirecul La Gravière - Les Pins 2023
Château Tirecul La Gravière is located in the Monbazillac appellation in the southwest of France. The estate was established in 1992 when Bruno and Claudie Bilancini decided to lease 9 hectares of one of the region's flagship vineyards, the "Vignobles de Tirecul", a site historically considered one of the region's Premiers Crus. Bruno, a trained oenologist, previously worked at the local cooperative. They purchased the 400-year-old estate five years later and now have 16 hectares of vines. The estate's production is structured around four main wines produced most years, a dry white in IGP Périgord named Cuvée Andrea and three sweet wines from the Monbazillac appellation. Limited quantities of red blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and sparkling wines are also produced. The estate uses a high proportion of Muscadelle in its wines. Bruno Bilancini claims that the quality of Muscadelle de Monbazillac is superior to that found in Bordeaux because the Monbazillac vine is largely virus-free. The couple has always farmed using environmentally friendly methods, deciding to adopt organic farming in 2009 and obtaining certification for all their vineyards from 2012.
Les Pins is a blend of Sémillon and Muscadelle whose grapes are affected by noble rot . Fermentation takes place in barrels and vats for 1 to 2 months, then aging lasts from 12 to 24 months in French oak vats and barrels.
Grape varieties: Sémillon, Muscadelle