Chateau Villemaurine is located not far from the picturesque St. Emilion village. The estate is one for the history books. At least that’s where Chateau Villemaurine found the inspiration for their name.
During the 8th century an army of invaders took up residency and made an encampment on the land where this Right Bank property is located today. The camp was called, Ville Maure, which when translated, means city of the Moors.
Chateau Villemaurine is located not far from the picturesque St. Emilion village. The estate is one for the history books. At least that’s where Chateau Villemaurine found the inspiration for their name.
During the 8th century an army of invaders took up residency and made an encampment on the land where this Right Bank property is located today. The camp was called, Ville Maure, which when translated, means city of the Moors.
Chateau Villemaurine was purchased in June, 2007 by Justin Onclin. Justin Onclin immediately modernized the Bordeaux wine estate. He added a new vat room with numerous, temperature controlled, smaller vats as well as a new tasting area.
The low capacity vats allow for parcels to be vinified one at a time. They made another change at Chateau Villemaurine, they brought in Stephane Derenoncourt to consult. He was replaced in a few years by Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus, which based on the wines being made today was a very savvy move.
The best part of their vineyards is on the peak of the plateau which reaches up to 87 meters at its peak. The vineyard is planted to a density of 6,500 – 7,700 vines per hectare. The higher levels of density are for the newer plantings.
The wine of Chateau Villemaurine is whole berry fermented in new, dual walled, 68 hectoliter, stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. The wine is aged in 80% new, French oak barrels.
🏅 James Suckling 95 pts
This already has a very enticing nose of red and black berries with hints of smoke and licorice. A very elegant and beautifully balanced wine, in which the interplay of bright acidity, fine dry tannins and oyster-shell minerality is really fascinating. Very long, super bright finish. Drink or hold.
🏅Vinous 93 pts
The 2016 Villemaurine has a subtler and more understated bouquetcompared to its peers, but l admire the purity of fruit; blackberry, briarand light pinecone aromas gradually gain intensity in the glass. Thepalate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Not deep or powerful, butvery well balanced, delivering a caressing, silky-smooth finish that lingerswonderfully. Very classy winemaking is in evidence here. Tasted blind atthe annual Southwold tasting.
🏅Wine Advocate 92+ pts
The 2016 Villemaurine is a blend of 80% Merlot an 20% Cabernet Franc aged in 80% new and 20% one-year-old barrels for 16 months. It has a deep garnet-purple color and lovely cedar, earth, baked cherries and warm plums notions waft from the glass followed by nuances of pencil shavings, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied bodied, the mid-palate slowly builds into loads of spicy layers with a pleasantly chewy texture and a long mineral-laced finish. About 2,966 cases produced.
