Vieux Fortin, Chateau
Summary
Château Vieux Fortin is a family-owned wine estate in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes producing Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines from limestone and clay soils that characterize this right bank appellation. The estate follows traditional Bordeaux winemaking practices, including hand-harvesting and oak barrel aging, while operating within the established négociant system that connects this modest producer to international markets.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Vieux Fortin is a wine-producing estate located in the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux, France. The property is situated in the commune of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, one of the satellite villages of Saint-Émilion. While the exact founding date of the estate remains undocumented in publicly available sources, the château operates as a family-owned property within the traditional framework of Bordeaux's right bank producers.
The estate's name "Vieux Fortin" translates to "old fort" or "old fortification," suggesting historical structures may have once existed on the property, though specific historical documentation about these origins is not readily available in public records. The château produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, adhering to the regulatory framework established by the Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité (INAO).
Vineyards & Wines
Château Vieux Fortin's vineyards are situated within the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, benefiting from the region's limestone and clay-based soils that characterize this part of Bordeaux's right bank. The estate produces red wines typical of the Saint-Émilion appellation, primarily based on Merlot with supporting roles from Cabernet Franc and potentially Cabernet Sauvignon, following the traditional grape composition of the region.
The property's wines are classified as Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, indicating compliance with the appellation's stricter production requirements compared to the basic Saint-Émilion designation. These include lower maximum yields, higher minimum potential alcohol levels, and extended aging requirements before release. The estate produces its grand vin under the Château Vieux Fortin label, focusing on expressing the terroir characteristics of its Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes location.
Philosophy & Practice
As a producer within the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, Château Vieux Fortin's winemaking necessarily follows the traditional practices of the region. The production process includes hand-harvesting of grapes, which is standard practice for quality-focused estates in Saint-Émilion. Fermentation typically takes place in temperature-controlled vats, followed by aging in oak barrels to develop complexity and structure in the wines.
The estate operates within the framework of the Saint-Émilion Wine Syndicate, which provides technical guidance and promotes the appellation's standards. Like many smaller family estates in Bordeaux, Château Vieux Fortin likely maintains traditional approaches to viticulture and winemaking while adapting to modern quality standards. The wines enter the market through Bordeaux's established négociant system, which handles distribution to international markets.