Lynsolence: Vineyards
The Lynsolence vineyards total 2.5 hectares, and are planted to 100% Merlot. The vines were over fifty years of age when Denis carved them out from the broader vineyard, so are presumably well over seventy years of age now. They are planted at a rather modest 5,600 vines per hectare, not that unusual for lesser terroirs in Bordeaux. The principal parcels selected for this cuvée are on the St Emilion plain, in the lieu-dit of Le Bert.
This places them just south of Château Monbousquet, and not far from Château Haut-Brisson and Château Teyssier. The soils here are dominated by gravel, sand and other alluvial material. The soil between the rows and beneath the vines is planted to grass. There is also a small parcel located near Château Valandraud, presumably a later addition to the Barraud vineyard, which is otherwise located close to Branne, which contributes.
The work in the vineyard is conducted by hand, and historically has been focused on gaining maturity and concentration. The main route by which this is achieved is through extensive green harvesting, removing bunches until there are just five per vine remaining. Extensive deleafing has also been an important part of the process. The methods have resulted in some remarkably low yields at times, with 19 hl/ha in the 2003 vintage. A more typical figure is perhaps 25 hl/ha.
