Vieux Chateau Saint André has been the family home of legendary winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet since 1978. For 44 vintages Jean-Claude was head winemaker at Ch Pétrus: a job passed onto his son Olivier in 2007. At home, he has built up his family property in Montagne Saint-Emilion to 12 hectares, which he runs with his other son, Jean-François. The vineyards here are 230 metres above sea level, this being a cool terroir, with harvest usually starting 10-15 days later than in Pomerol (which lies 5 km away).
We first discovered this wine with the delicious 2014 vintage, and this 2015 once again expresses Jean-Claude’s preference for elegance over extraction in his wines. A blend of 85% Merlot with 15% Cabernet Franc, it aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (of which 20% were new), the aim throughout the winemaking process being to capture natural freshness and vitality. Colour is bright ruby, aromas being lively and perfumed, recalling red fruits and spice. Palate is full bodied and poised, having wonderful balance between ripeness and freshness. It has a strikingly gorgeous, elegant, supple texture, the finish being long-flavoured and full of finesse (for drinking 2020-2024+).