Château Tournefeuille: Vineyards
Château Tournefeuille is one of a handful of properties that sit atop the edge of the plateau looking out across the vineyards of Pomerol; among their number the other most significant estate is the neighbouring Château Belles-Graves, situated a stone’s throw to the west.
There are 18 hectares of vines here, the vineyard spread across at least four distinct terroirs. Principal among there are the south-facing slopes of clay which run down from the plateau to the Barbanne, where the planting of Merlot is favoured, along with a seam of gravel which runs across the top of the slope and the plateau, where Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are planted. In addition there is the clay and loam of the plateau, where Merlot dominates, and a north-facing slope of clay and gravel which is favoured for Cabernet Franc.
The estate’s position on the edge of the plateau is an important contributor to the vineyard’s terroir, as the slope provides excellent drainage as well as an exposed and breezy aspect which can keep the fruit fresh in warmer vintages, and aids drying of the vines after rain. The open and windy aspect is the most likely explanation for the name Tournefeuille, which translates as ‘turning leaf’.
