From the vine to the bottle
The winemaking philosophy is the same in the vineyard and in the cellar – to produce the most natural possible wine. Concretely, this entails:
- a strict respect for organic specifications, which forbid the use of weed killers and chemical insecticides. Although certification was obtained in 2012, organic winegrowing practices were applied as soon as the estate was created
- limiting the number of bunches per vine so as to concentrate sugar and aromas in the grapes The bunches are more evenly spread out and better ventilated to reduce the risk of rot and fungal diseases. A virtuous circle
- natural fermentation triggered only by indigenous yeast on the grape skins and in the cellar atmosphere
- ageing for 18 months in an environment with temperature and humidity regulated by a ground-coupled heat exchanger. The size and age of the foudres (12 and 20-hectolitre wooden vats), oak barrels, and 500-litre earthenware jars give the wines a unique patina without denaturing them
And in the bottle
What about the juice? 90% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from vines 30-70 years old
Valmengaux – Organic wine: beautiful deep, brilliant crimson colour, an expressive aromatic nose of red and black fruit, as well as a beautiful long aftertaste
Available vintages: 2015, 2016 in 75 cl and 150 cl bottles
Valmengaux – En Jarre – Organic wine: aged in earthenware jars that enhance aromas. The fruity flavours are enhanced and more complex
Available vintage: 2018 (from April 2020), in 75 cl bottles (2015 and 2016 sold-out)
Press review / Medals
– – – – – – – – – – Domaine de Valmengaux En Jarre 2018 – – – – – – – – – –
>>> La RVF (France) – Karine VALENTIN (May 2021): 92/100, 1st out of almost 200 Bordeaux / Bordeaux Supérieur:
« (…) the wines gives to the fruit a briliant energy, concentrated in a luscious mouth, with superb vivid tanins »
>>> LE POINT – Vin (France) – Jacques DUPONT (May 2020): 16,5/20, 3rd out of more than 120 Bordeaux / Bordeaux Supérieur:
« Really fruity, blackberry juice, much fruit, liquorice, pure, delicate tanins, tasty, very straightforward and pure »
>> Elle à Table awards 2020 – Silver medal
« A Bordeaux wine aged in amphora, this is pretty uncommon ! This one successfully passes the exam. It offers a deep hue, a pure and juicy nose of blackcurrant and ripe strawberry. The palate is supple, fruity and very drinkable. Tanins are perfectly integrated and we can feel a friendly energy in this wine. Accepted in the big league, with honors! »
>>> Terres de Vins awards 2020 – Silver medal
– – – – – – – – – – Domaine de Valmengaux 2016 – – – – – – – – – –
>>> Sakura awards 2019 (Japan) – Gold medal
– – – – – – – – – – Domaine de Valmengaux 2015 – – – – – – – – – –
>>> Elle à Table awards 2020 – Gold medal
« Dark red hue, some tears. The nose reveals some pretty intense aromas of strawberry, red currant and blackberry. The palate is marked by intense fresh fruits flavours. You can still feel tanins but they melt into this delicate balance. You can appreciate this enjoyable and straightforward Valmengaux from now on »
>>> Terres de Vins awards 2020 – Silver medal
>>> Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 – 90 (Silver medal)
“Contemporary gloss and finesse; and highly polished Merlot fruit. Brooding damson nose, big velvety tannins, and a long and satisfying finish”
>>> Sakura awards 2018 (Japan) – Gold medal
>>> vinogusto.com: in the top 3 of Bordeaux 2018 selection
« Nose full of black fruits and laurel. Round and spicy. Then a long finish. An excellent meal companion »
>>> Wine Enthusiast – Roger Voss – Note 89
“Produced from organically grown grapes, this wine is generous and ripe. Black currants and blackberries dominate, giving a rich texture that is both luscious and structured. Drink this wine soon, certainly from 2020”
– – – – – – – – – – Domaine de Valmengaux En Jarre 2015 – – – – – – – – – –
>>> vinogusto.com: one of the 12 Bordeaux Red 2015 ready to drink
« 15/20 – Valmengaux en Jarre is a very fruity organic wine. Its concentrated fruity aromas, its delicate tannins and its very supple and pleasant have appealed to us. A nice, very mature and well velvety discovery! Pleasure in a bottle – a very nice one by the way »
– – – – – – – – – – Domaine de Valmengaux – all vintages – – – – – – – – – –
>>> Vivino: 3,9* (out of 5), from more than 700 ratings
– – – – – – – – – – Domaine de Valmengaux En Jarre – all vintages – – – – – – – – – –
>>> Vivino: 4,3* (out of 5), from only 23 ratings (a few hundred bottles produced from 2015)