Château La Vieille Cure: Vineyards
The vineyards of Château La Vieille Cure are now divided between two major sites, the original vineyards at La Vieille Cure, and those at the recently acquired Château Gagnard.
The cellars of Château La Vieille Cure and the original 20 hectares of vines are located in the south-east of the appellation, in the commune of Saillans, almost on the banks of the Isle. On the other side of the river is Libourne, and the vineyards of Pomerol. Taking into account Fronsac’s remarkable limestone slopes, it is surprising that the wines have not garnered a more serious reputation. Near neighbours here include Château Dalem and Château Fontenil directly to the north, and Château Moulin Haut-Laroque to the west, all of which enjoy excellent reputations. This is a little quality ‘hotspot’ for Fronsac.
There are 37 hectares of vineyard in all, the remaining 17 hectares (of which 8 hectares is fallow, the vines up rooted to allow for replanting) located at Château Gagnard. These vines lie about 4 kilometres south of the original La Vieille Cure vines, in a very similar position on the edge of the plateau, but sits closer to the union of the Isle and the Dordogne.
The vines are established on a clay-limestone bedrock. The terrain is multifaceted, but there are several beneficial west and southwest-facing slopes at both sites. This vineyard is planted predominantly with Merlot, which accounts for 75% of the encépagement, with 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are several parcels that include some truly ancient vines, with some more than one-hundred years old. They are tended using conventional methods, rather than any adherence to an organic or biodynamic philosophy.
