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Domain: Château Monbrison

Located a short distance from the cru classés of Tertre and Giscours, Château Monbrison has no reason to envy its illustrious neighbours, with whom it shares a remarkable gravel terroir. The property's vineyard is relatively old (40 years), and consists of a single 15 hectare block of vines with a mixture of grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (15%) and Petit Verdot (5%). Having already been much appreciated since the mid-1980s, the quality of Château Monbrison's wines improved spectacularly after 1995, due to the approach initiated by the former owner Jean-Luc Vonderheyden, who has since died. His initiative consisted of a return to traditional methods of growing and vinification, resulting in Château Monbrison becoming one of the first cru bourgeois to undertake a quest for irreproachable quality. His brother Laurent Vonderheyden who took over the property and is the current owner, has continued to employ these traditional methods: fermentation in stainless steel vats, ageing for 18 months in oak barrels (of which 40 to 60% are renewed each year, depending on the requirements of the vintage), light fining and no filtration.