Barde Haut, Chateau
Summary
Château Barde-Haut is a 17-hectare Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé estate managed by Hélène Garcin-Lévêque and Patrice Lévêque, producing Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blends from south-facing clay-limestone soils on the appellation's plateau. The Lévêques balance tradition with careful innovation through sustainable vineyard practices, hand harvesting, parcel-by-parcel vinification in concrete vats, and gravity-flow winemaking that preserves the distinctive terroir expression of their 30-50 year old vines.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Barde-Haut is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé estate located on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. The property has been owned and managed by Hélène Garcin-Lévêque and her husband Patrice Lévêque since 2000, when they acquired it from the previous owners. Under their direction, the estate has undergone significant transformations, including a complete renovation of the winemaking facilities completed in 2012. This modern facility was designed with environmental considerations, featuring a green roof that helps regulate temperature naturally. The Garcin-Lévêque family brings considerable experience to Barde-Haut, as they also manage other Bordeaux properties including Château Poesia in Saint-Émilion and previously owned Château Haut-Bergey in Pessac-Léognan. Patrice Lévêque serves as the technical director and winemaker, overseeing all aspects of production from vineyard to bottle.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Barde-Haut encompasses 17 hectares of vineyards situated on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau. The vineyard occupies a prime south-facing slope with excellent sun exposure and natural drainage. The terroir consists primarily of clay-limestone soils on the plateau, transitioning to more sandy clay at lower elevations. The vineyard is planted predominantly to Merlot (80%) with the remainder dedicated to Cabernet Franc (20%), reflecting the typical Right Bank preference for these varieties. The average age of the vines is approximately 30 years, with some older parcels dating back 50 years. The estate produces approximately 50,000 bottles annually of its grand vin, Château Barde-Haut, and a second wine called Les Tourelles de Barde-Haut. The wines are characterized by their Saint-Émilion typicity, showing the rich fruit profile associated with Merlot grown on limestone soils while maintaining freshness and structure from the Cabernet Franc component.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Château Barde-Haut balances respect for tradition with modern precision. Harvesting is conducted by hand with careful sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled concrete vats, with each vineyard parcel vinified separately to preserve its distinct characteristics. Malolactic fermentation occurs in oak barrels, followed by aging in French oak for 18 months, with approximately 60% new oak used each vintage. The estate employs a gravity-flow system throughout the winery to minimize harsh mechanical handling of the grapes and wine. In the vineyard, sustainable practices include cover crops between rows to control vigor and promote biodiversity, limited chemical interventions, and careful canopy management to optimize ripening. The Lévêques focus on achieving phenolic ripeness while maintaining acidity and freshness, harvesting each parcel at its optimal moment rather than adhering to a fixed schedule. This parcel-by-parcel approach extends through vinification and blending, allowing for precise expression of the Saint-Émilion terroir.