Producers: de Reignac
The Balthus is a model of the class that a Bordeaux Supérieur can achieve when produced by a passionate winemaker who produces low yields and performs impeccable work in the cellar. This wine captivates every year as the best "simple" Bordeaux wine ever and can easily compete with some Crus Classés.
Reignac is a 135 hectare vineyard with 80 hectares of vines. It belongs since 1990 Yves Vatelot. And he is really bald. In 1993, Vatelot had a lake built, so big that he can drive there decently water ski - and decent means decent! The corresponding motorized boat is anchored right on the Château. But Yves Vatelot is not only a gifted water skier, he also has a patent for special barrels that have been developed for fermentation in barrels. This is particularly interesting for very small plots, wine growers around the world experiment with it. 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon grows Vatelot annually for 18 months in new barriques. The yields are a moderate 30 hectoliters per hectare and are extremely low for a Bordeaux superieur. The harvest at the perfect time gives this wine the smelling and the impressive fruit, which leaves it on the palate so powerful, but at the same time soft at the same time.