Château Le Souley Sainte Croix is a historic and prestigious winery in the Haut-Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, France. Located in the heart of the village of Verteuis, it is one of the oldest vineyard estates in the region. Their flagship wine, Cuvée Expression Haut-Médoc, is a Bordeaux red that perfectly embodies the classic Haut-Médoc terroir, offering excellent taste and exceptional value. Balancing traditional winemaking traditions with everyday drinking appeal, it is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a wine from a mid-level Bordeaux terroir.
The winery's history dates back to 1616, founded by local nobleman and renowned writer François de Chadirac. This long history has allowed the estate to uphold its traditional Bordeaux winemaking principles. The 19th century was the winery's golden age, with its century-old vines attracting considerable attention in the industry. Since 1959, the Riffaud family has managed the winery, passing down its traditions through five generations. Today, Jean and Marie-José Riffaud oversee the estate, with their son Frédéric responsible for core winemaking. The generations-old viticultural and winemaking philosophies ensure the wines retain a consistent and authentic terroir.
Region
Geographically and terroir-wise, the winery is situated in the prestigious Vertheuil region of the Haut-Médoc in Bordeaux, adjacent to numerous renowned estates, boasting an exceptional location. The total vineyard area ranges from 22 to 27 hectares, with 20 hectares comprising a contiguous plateau plot offering excellent terrain, sunlight, and ventilation. The vineyard employs traditional Bordeaux planting methods, with 8,333 vines per hectare. The vines average 26 years old, and their mature root systems penetrate deep into the soil, absorbing minerals and contributing to the wines' richer and more complex flavor profiles. The soil, a classic combination of gravel and clay subsoil found in Haut-Médoc, boasts excellent drainage while retaining nutrients, perfectly suited to the growth needs of classic Bordeaux grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The winery adheres to a rational agricultural approach, cultivating grapes in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner to preserve their natural flavors and terroir to the greatest extent possible. Harvesting is done by hand, with grapes harvested in batches according to the ripeness of different plots and grape varieties, ensuring precise control over the optimal ripeness of each batch and guaranteeing wine quality from the source. The core grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, a classic Bordeaux blend that establishes the wine's balanced and elegant structure.
Winemaking
Cuvée Expression Haut-Médoc, the winery's flagship wine, precisely replicates the classic flavor profile of Haut-Médoc. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 14 to 16 months, allowing the mellow oak flavors and fruit aromas to fully blend, resulting in a fuller and more delicate body.
