Vignobles Rodet Recapet Estate Vignobles Rodet is owner of Château Brulesecaille and Château La Gravière in the Cotes de Bourg AOC. Jacques is a viticulture engineer (graduated from Bordeaux Science Agro) specialized in Nature Protection and focuses viticulture. Guillaume (graduated from DUAD Bordeaux) oversees vinification operations in the cellar. Jacques believes in using more natural methods to encourage ripening; he utilizes canopy mangement techniques, removes leaves and thins bunches as necessary. In September 2016 the estate received High Environnemental Value level 3 Certification. This covers mainly four key areas : biodiversity conservation, plant protection strategy, optimized management of fertilization and water management.
Date Founded: 1840 Owner: Martine and Jacques RODET Winery Philosophy: Making great wines, using both modern winemaking and traditional viticulture. In 1924, The RÉCAPET family bought Château BRULESÉCAILLE. In 1974, the estate was handed down from M. Pierre RÉCAPET to his daughter and son in law, Martine and Jacques RODET. It is now included in a structure named G.F.A. RODET RECAPET. Winery Acreage: 74 acres (30 hectares) Winery Production: 12,000 / 9L cases Varietals Produced: 54% Merlot 25% Cabernet Sauvignon 9% Cabernet Franc 4.5% Malbec 7.5% Sauvignon Blanc and Gris Winemaker: Jacques RODET (graduate agricultural engineer) and his son Guillaume. Located in the heart of the Côtes de Bourg region, BrûleSécaille is a 28 hectare vineyard classed "Cru Bourgeois" since 1868.
The name ‘Brulesécaille’ derives from Gascon; “Bruler” means “to burn” and “sécaille” is from the latin “secare” meaning “to cut”. According to tradition, we burn the cut vine branches during pruning. Brulesécaille is situated on a clay limestone outcrop. This particular soil composition dominates the Dordogne valley and allows excellent drainage in winter and spring. The vines enjoy excellent sun exposure, encouraging consistent ripening vintage after vintage.
Because the vineyard survived the particularly hard winter frosts of 1945, 1956 and 1991, there are some significant older vines, up to seventy-five years old. Château BruleSécaille : 23 ha Château La Gravière : 5 ha Château YON St Christophe : 2 ha Every care is taken by Jacques RODET (graduate agricultural engineer) to respect nature, maintaining a biological balance from growth to harvesting in particular by thinning out leaves and excess grapes in order to produce a natural wine. The grapes are picked by hand. Great care is taken with the manual picking over, de-stemming and crushing. The wine needs a long fermentation and maceration period (3 to 5 weeks) in stainless steel tanks, controlled by an automatic temperature monitoring system, to ensure a rich full-bodied wine.
Brulesecaille Blanc Grande Reserve is made from 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Sauvignon Gris.
Average age of the vines is 25 years.
Manual harvest from September 19th-20th 2016.
Direct press at low pressure (whole cluster) with low amount of SO2, settling at 10°C.
Addition of yeast and alcoholic fermentation in casks 400 liters.
Raised on the lees for 6 months with regular batonnage (stirring of the lees).
Bottling in april 2017.
Fish, seafood, white meats, fine goat cheeses.
Brulesecaille Rouge Sans Soufre Ajoute is made from 50% Merlot and 50% Malbec.
Deep purple color, powerful nose of blackcurrant and floral as well. Full on the palate with soft and ripe tannins with a fresh aromatic return.
Aging potential 5 years.
Pairs with boeuf Bourguignon, grilled vegetables and strong cheeses.
Chateau Brule Secaille Grande Reserve Cotes de Bourg Rouge is made from 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.
The color is deep dark ruby. limpid and brilliant. The nose is intense and complex with hints of blackberries, sweet spicies, noble plain chocolate and Vanilla. The palate is full bodied, very long with well integrated tannins. The finish is very fresh and luscious with toasted notes in the background.
Average age of the vines is 30 years.
Manual harvest from September 21th to October 7th 2015.
Upon arrival at the winery, only the best grapes were selected using a sorting table.
Skin contact maceration during 2 weeks in temperature controlled vats.
Aged 12 months in Oak barrels. (1/3 new oak, 1/3 1 year old and 1/3 two year old barrels). They use 60% French Oak and 40% American Oak.
Served with red meat (beef filet, sirloin), pork tenderloin, roasted duck breast with honey&orange sauce, roasted lamb with thyme, poultry and fine cheese.
Review:
"A purple-colored, young wine dominated by Merlot, this is rich, structured and full of blackberries. With a good balance between the fruit and the tannins already in place, it shows excellent potential. Drink this already delicious but still firm wine from 2022. - ROGER VOSS"
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2018, Best of Year 2018 Issue), 90 pts
Graviere La Rouge Cuvee les Terrasses is made of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep red color with a narrow purple rim. Attractive aromas of ripe, juicy cherry and blackberry over spice, integrated toasted aromas. The palate is balanced and full-bodied with supple tannins, displaying rich cherry flavors combined with gentle toasting characters and a touch of spice. The finish is lasting with a bitter almond aftertaste.
Average age of the vines is 25 years.
Manual harvest from September 21th to October 7th 2015.
Upon arrival at the winery, only the best grapes were selected using a sorting table.
Skin contact maceration during 2 weeks in temperature controlled vats.
75% of the final wine was aged in stainless steel tanks with French oak staves and blended with 25% of wine aged in barrels.
Serve with red, white meats, poultry and fine cheeses.
Review:
"Still young and showing its wood aging, this wine has great potential. With ripe tannins, spice and generous red fruits, this Merlot-dominated wine is structured while also richly fruity. Drink from 2022. - ROGER VOSS"
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2018, Best of Year 2018 Issue), 91 pts
Graviere La Rouge Cuvee les Terrasses is made of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep red color with a narrow purple rim. Attractive aromas of ripe, juicy cherry and blackberry over spice, integrated toasted aromas. The palate is balanced and full-bodied with supple tannins, displaying rich cherry flavors combined with gentle toasting characters and a touch of spice. The finish is lasting with a bitter almond aftertaste.
Average age of the vines is 25 years.
Manual harvest from September 21th to October 7th 2015.
Upon arrival at the winery, only the best grapes were selected using a sorting table.
Skin contact maceration during 2 weeks in temperature controlled vats.
75% of the final wine was aged in stainless steel tanks with French oak staves and blended with 25% of wine aged in barrels.
Serve with red, white meats, poultry and fine cheeses.
Hickinbotham Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Trueman represents Cabernet in Clarendon at its best. Its purity, its elegant style, its supple, polished nature ... it’s a wine of its own.Distinct in character, this is not like Cabernet from the Vales below or the hills to the east. From its pretty, delicate florals and musk, through to its silky blackcurrant and kalamata juice and down to its dark carbon soul - Trueman is a modern Cabernet that encapsulates all the toil and antiquity of Clarendon. Echoing the unearthed prose of wine writer Ebenezer Ward from 1886 on theCabernet sown from this very land – Trueman is “an excelled wine, of very marked flavor and bouquet”.
Review:
Deep garnet/purple, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Hickinbotham Vineyard has a classic nose showing pronounced fresh blackcurrant and blackberry highlighted by cloves, menthol, pencil shavings and earth notes. Medium to full-bodied, taut and muscular, the palate has grainy tannins, nice freshness and a long finish.
-Wine Advocate 93 Points
Gold, 92 points, LA Invitational
Gold, 91 points, Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition
Gold, Virginia Governor's Cup
Gold, Monticello Cup Wine Competition
Tasting notes:
Our 2017 Blanc de Blanc is made with 100% estate-grown Chardonnay. Aged for a minimum of 36 months on lees. Bright green apple and fresh citrus notes with layers of brioche and yeast complexity. An excellent balance of acidity, creamy mousse, and textures that persist with a long and elegant finish.
Pair with any special occasion. Make a Tuesday dinner special. Enjoy with mild cheeses, scallops, or serve as an aperitif.