Château Godeau

Fiche Technique Bon de Commande

Surface: 5.65 ha
Density of Plantation: 6,000 vines /ha
Average of the Vineyard: 35 years old
Soil: sloping limestone-based with a sandy clay texture
Grape Varieties: 95% merlot, 5% cabernet franc
Winemaking: alcoholic fermentation in small volume thermo-regulated tanks that are plunged manually, malolactic fermentation in barrels
Ageing: wine aged in barrels during 14 months, 1/3 of which is done in new french oak barrels
Productivity: 32hl/ha
Dates of Harvests: from 7th to 11th of October
Alcoholic Degree: 14%


After a mild, damp winter, spring arrived with an explosion of vine vegetation, during which the vine budded very evenly. But thi good start didn't last long: heavy rain and the cold months of May and June slowded the flowering process and caused substantial coulure (fruit setting failure). Hot July weather made the delay in the vine cycle, and quite good weather in August with its cool nights augured well for the complexity of the wine. Unfortunately tropical-type weather set in at the end of September, which brought with it the threat of botrytis and a deterioration in the health of the vines. It was then a real race against the clock to bring the grapes in, and this tasted the nerves and precision of the wine growers. And yet somehow between the picking and the final result in the vast, near miracles sometimes seem to have happened.


The colour shows the amazing depth of this wine for this vintage, and this justifies  the degree of selection that was carried out. Bright purple glints indicate the young age of this wine. The nose express noble oak ageing in which fine, ripe aromas mingle with oriental spices, pepper, liquorice stick, and classic expression of blood oranges which we have found in this wine over the last several vintages. The palate is powerful, dense and with a coated texture. This is a serious wine which is still a bit compact in the second part of the palate, in which the powdery tannins should soften further over the next few years. This is a great success for the 2013 vintage.