At a stone's throw from the Saint-Emilion appellation, in that of Sainte-Foy-de-Bordeaux (to the west), this chateau has been producing wine since the end of the Hundred Year War. It has changed owner solely four times. The estate practices environmentally-friendly viticulture on a terroir of flint, gravel, clay and limestone, and the most widely grown grape is Merlot, king of the Right Bank. Mr Derenoncourt consults the château on the steps of viticulture and vinification.

Lucullus, the château’s flagship cuvée, is made from grapes that are hand-harvested and then meticulously sorted. Its dark, almost black, robe has a rich and intense bouquet. The nose is a delight of fleshy fruits, coffee, liquorice, spices, black olives and wild blackberries. The texture is powerful. Cellar this wine for at least 20 years and serve with powerful and characterful dishes.