Château Saint-Jean de Lavaud is a “boutique vineyard” of just one hectare in the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation. Old vines planted using traditional methods, and a co-fermentation vinification contribute to its uniqueness and make it one of a kind on Bordeaux’s right bank.
These old vines are planted with Merlot and Cabernet Franc using the traditional method. The two grape varieties are vinified together in co-fermentation and matured in 500-litre barrels to preserve their fruitiness.
Terroir and vines
This vineyard flourishes on a magnificent gravelly hillside in Néac, to the south of Lalande de Pomerol, overlooking the Barbane, the small stream that separates it from the Pomerol appellation. The terroir is entirely gravelly and perfectly drained, allowing the grapes to warm up and ripen continuously day and night. This one-hectare plot is planted with vines over 50 years old, using the traditional method: around 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. The team takes great care of this unique genetic heritage and maintains the vineyard as it is by replacing any missing vines with identical vines. The vineyard has been in organic conversion since 2023.
Vinification
All the grapes are harvested at the same time by hand and are vinified in co‑fermentation, which gives this wine its unique personality.
The wine is aged in 500-litre barrels and amphorae to preserve the aromatic expression of the fruit and the delicacy of the tannins.
Wine
Château Saint-Jean de Lavaud is an unusual wine with a unique personality, full of balance and a lovely tannic structure.
It has the softness of Merlot and the crispness and liveliness of Cabernet Franc.
The team
As with all the estates in the Sarments Vignobles group, Château Saint-Jean de Lavaud is run by Frédéric Stévenin with the help of his two Libourne partners, Anthony Appollot in the vineyards and Bruno Lacoste in the cellars.