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BORDEAUX<br />
DISCOVERY<br />
to branch out on his own, he converted his grandfather’s<br />
old barn into a winery and started making<br />
his own wines on the property in 2003. The estate’s<br />
vineyard extends over 14 hectares, 4 of them leased,<br />
on sandy gravelly soils. It is planted to three grape<br />
varieties, spearheaded by Merlot (75%), followed<br />
by Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Cabernet Franc<br />
(5%). “Our proportion of Merlot makes us fairly<br />
unusual because most Médoc wines are made from<br />
Cabernet”, explains Sallenave. “This yields wines<br />
that are round and drink well from a young age”.<br />
In addition to its loyal private customers, the estate<br />
has also developed sales with a trading company<br />
focusing on exports which markets, inter alia,<br />
its premium tank-aged Méline label and Manon,<br />
matured in barrels.<br />
VINEYARD WORK FOR PASCAL SALLENAVE AT CHÂTEAU HAUT COULOUMEY<br />
CHÂTEAU GRAND BRUN: KEEPING<br />
WINEGROWING IN THE FAMILY<br />
OLIVIER BRUN TASTING WINES AT CHÂTEAU GRAND BRUN<br />
In the Brun family, passion is shared from one<br />
generation to the next and this art is perfectly<br />
demonstrated by Jean-Pierre Brun and his two<br />
children Sophie and Olivier who skilfully manage<br />
the production side. Set between Pauillac, Saint<br />
Julien and Margaux, Château Grand Brun has<br />
been classified as a Médoc Cru Artisan since<br />
2005. Its 10.5 hectares in Haut-Médoc are complemented<br />
by 2 hectares in Bordeaux Supérieur. In<br />
1987, after studying viticulture and oenology,<br />
Olivier Brun joined his father on the estate. A<br />
year later, he created the Château Grand Brun<br />
brand and made his first wines in the family cellar,<br />
before being joined by his sister Sophie in 2003.<br />
“We have been a family business for six generations”,<br />
she explains. “Being a Cru Artisan implies<br />
being constantly involved in the estate at every<br />
stage from viticulture to winemaking, including<br />
marketing and direct sales, while sharing our<br />
passion with our customers”. This goal is achieved<br />
to perfection with wines that show beautiful<br />
aromatic intensity with notes of dried apricot and<br />
red fruit jam and rounded tannins that produce<br />
subtle, appetising wines.<br />
WINTER 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE <strong>FR</strong>ENCH EXPERTS ON WINE<br />
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