Pontete Bellegrave Graves de Vayres 2020

Located across the Dordogne from the village of Fronsac, the appellation of Graves de Vayres is historically renowned for its silky, full-flavored wines. The region’s unique, sandy terroir is what gives wines their fine-grained texture, a characteristic that is expressed fully in Pontête Bellgrave’s elegant, silky blend.

This garrison and chateau in Saint-Germain du Puch has since the 16th century been involved with vines and winemaking. In 2004, the de la Rivière family purchased the estate and went about renovating the cellar and farming sustainably. 

Today this native Bordeaux family has moved on to the next generation of passion and talent; winemaker Jean-Christophe Pleuvry, former winemaker Bruno de la Riviere’s son-in-law, has a catching enthusiasm for the land and for Grave de Vayres’ rich history.

This micro-domaine is proud to craft one perfect red blend that tells the story of Graves de Vayres so eloquently, in supple and silky tones of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The appellation of Graves de Vayres is historically renowned for its silky,

full-flavored red wines. The region’s gravelly, sandy terroir is what gives

blends here their fine-grained texture, a characteristic that is artfully

expressed in Pontête Bellgrave’s elegant red. This garrison and chateau

in Saint-Germain du Puch since the 16th century has cultivated vines.

In 2004, the de la Rivière family purchased the estate, renovating its

ancient cellars and farming sustainably. Today the next generation is at

the helm; Bordeaux native and winemaker Jean-Christophe Pleuvry is

full of enthusiasm for the region’s rich history and terroir, evident in this

expressive blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

WINERY: Château Pontête Bellegrave

WINEMAKER: Jean-Christophe Pleuvry (son-in-law of former winemaker

Bruno de la Rivière)

ESTABLISHED: 2004

REGION: FRANCE • Bordeaux • Saint-Germain du Puch

APPELLATION: Graves de Vayres AOC

BLEND: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

VINEYARDS: Graves de Vayres is a small, historic appellation located across

the Dordogne river from the village of Fronsac. Here terraces rich in gravel

also have a high sand content, contributing to wines’ smooth tannins. Sub-

soils are almost exclusively gravel.

AGE OF VINES: 40 years, on average

WINEMAKING: Destemmed; fermented on indigenous yeasts in

temperature-controlled tanks. Aged in French oak barrels, 50% new oak and

50% two-year barrels, for 12 months; 10% of the vintage is kept in tank and

then blended before bottling. Unfined and unfiltered.

TASTING IMPRESSIONS: Aromas of dark cherry, light spice, incense. Full-

bodied, structured: sweet tobacco, cherry, spice.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Roasted lamb; pork sausages with herbs