Château Grand-Portail has been a family estate for generations and is now run by the youngest son, Olivier Cailleux. Located in Escoussans within the Entre-deux-Mers area but more precisely, in the heart of the small, distinctive and expressive Haut-Benauge appellation, which is known to produce excellent dry white wines. This unique niche terroir also produces rare-to-find and remarkably fine red wines when the vines are planted on the best exposed and higher slopes. Château Grand-Portail’s vineyards lie 900 feet above the Garonne River, with a non-obscured view to the Graves appellation on the other side.
Olivier has slowly but surely developed the full expression of his terroir with new plantings adapting the right varieties to his soil and exposure. He has also introduced sustainable agriculture practices, green covering, new pruning methods, pre-cold maceration, thermo regulation and bottling without filtration.
This Château sits on high ground inland from Cadillac, with a perfect south/south-west exposure yielding perfectly ripened Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for their red wine. A modern style showing a charming nose of dark ripe blackcurrants and cherries, this wine exhibits a soft, round, juicy palate, perfect balance, as well as a moderately long finish laced with unique mineral and graphite notes – a signature of this estate’s unique terroir. Remarkably elegant and complex for the appellation, this wine will offer lots of pleasurable drinking over the next 2-3 years.
Everyday Low Price:$14.99 per bottle or $152.90/case ($12.74)