Château de Parenchère

L'Equilibriste

Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Franc-based Blends

Château de Parenchère

L'Equilibriste

Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Franc-based Blends

L'Equilibriste is a special cuvée that aims to magnify a very pure and expressive fruit for an immediate pleasure. Predominantly produced from Cabernet Franc, it is intended to be drunk in its early years and has been produced without added sulfites. The name symbolizes the winery's search for harmony between the classic structure of Bordeaux wines and great aromatic expression. It also illustrates their progress towards organic conversion, as well as the estate's unique geographical location; on the exact border between Bordeaux and Dordogne.

Wine Production

The grapes are harvested early in the morning, then transported quickly to the cellar. After selective sorting, they are placed in concrete tanks with carbon dioxide inerting. Alcoholic fermentation begins quickly. Pump over occurs twice a day in order to extract mainly color and aromas until halfway through the fermentation, moving to a light pumping-over per day to limit the extraction of tannins. The wine is flowed out as soon as the fermentation of the sugars is finished. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked twice before a light fining. As no sulfites are added, these operations are carried out with extreme caution in order to avoid excessive oxygenation and the development of microorganisms detrimental to the organoleptic qualities. The wine is then filtered and bottled under protection of inert gas.

Tasting Notes

Beautiful deep purple red color. The nose reveals intense aromas of blackcurrant and blueberry with notes of peony, violet, and a slight touch of liquorice. On the palate, the attack is round, with crunchy and juicy fruit. Mineral and floral flavors continue the tasting on a subtle and silky tannic framework. Thus, the wine reveals the balance between fruit and structure, between sweetness and liveliness, between finesse and intensity.

Food Pairing

Spicy and fresh with an expression of juicy fruit, this wine perfectly accompanies cold cuts and is a great aperitif.

L'Equilibriste is a special cuvée that aims to magnify a very pure and expressive fruit for an immediate pleasure. Predominantly produced from Cabernet Franc, it is intended to be drunk in its early years and has been produced without added sulfites. The name symbolizes the winery's search for harmony between the classic structure of Bordeaux wines and great aromatic expression. It also illustrates their progress towards organic conversion, as well as the estate's unique geographical location; on the exact border between Bordeaux and Dordogne.

Wine Production

The grapes are harvested early in the morning, then transported quickly to the cellar. After selective sorting, they are placed in concrete tanks with carbon dioxide inerting. Alcoholic fermentation begins quickly. Pump over occurs twice a day in order to extract mainly color and aromas until halfway through the fermentation, moving to a light pumping-over per day to limit the extraction of tannins. The wine is flowed out as soon as the fermentation of the sugars is finished. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked twice before a light fining. As no sulfites are added, these operations are carried out with extreme caution in order to avoid excessive oxygenation and the development of microorganisms detrimental to the organoleptic qualities. The wine is then filtered and bottled under protection of inert gas.

Tasting Notes

Beautiful deep purple red color. The nose reveals intense aromas of blackcurrant and blueberry with notes of peony, violet, and a slight touch of liquorice. On the palate, the attack is round, with crunchy and juicy fruit. Mineral and floral flavors continue the tasting on a subtle and silky tannic framework. Thus, the wine reveals the balance between fruit and structure, between sweetness and liveliness, between finesse and intensity.

Food Pairing

Spicy and fresh with an expression of juicy fruit, this wine perfectly accompanies cold cuts and is a great aperitif.

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard size:
68 ha acres
Soil composition:
chalk and clay
Elevation:
328 feet
Exposure:
East/West
Harvest time:
mid September to mid October
Bottles produced of this wine:
14,000
Average Vine Age:
25 years

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition:
50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Malbec, 25% Merlot
Fermentation container:
concrete tanks with carbon dioxide inserting
Malolactic fermentation:
full
Fining agent:
vegan
Length of aging before bottling:
4 months

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.71
Acidity:
3.47 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %
Dry extract:
28.9 g/L
Residual sugar:
<0.1 g/L

About the Vineyard

Vines with an average age of 25 years are are planted on chalky clay soils, on the estate’s best exposed plots and solely on hillsides so that rainwater drains away naturally.