Château Leret-Monpezat


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The Vineyard and the Wine The Monpezat Passion: Passionate about wine, Jean-Baptiste de Monpezat always knew he would take root in his own terroir. His vocation led him to study first at the University of Toulouse and later in the Napa Valley. These eighteen months of oenology in California convinced him to apply the most modern winemaking techniques to his Cahors vineyard. Starting in 1965, driven by a true winemaker's zeal, Jean-Baptiste de Monpezat worked tirelessly on the family estate to consolidate scattered plots. Today, these are united to form a homogenous vineyard on the plateau, situated between the "Causse" (limestone plateau) and the valley, overlooking the village of Albas and the Lot River. The Domaine de Léret was among the pioneers capable of offering an estate-bottled wine when Cahors was granted "Appellation Contrôlée" status in 1971. History and Legend: The Manor of Léret is linked to the legend of Jeanne d’Aymet, whom the "Good King" Henry IV seduced near the fountain that still bears her name, "Bois d’Anglars." He took her to Paris, only to eventually abandon her—while remaining faithful to the wines of Cahors. This is said to be the origin of the popular folk song "Ne pleure pas Jeannette" (Don't cry, Jeannette). Since that time, the wine has remained a memorable fixture of the Léret plateau in Albas. As the family’s winemaker, Jean-Baptiste de Monpezat naturally took charge of developing the vineyards belonging to his brother, Prince Henrik of Denmark, and his father, Count André de Monpezat. Today, Château Léret, signed Monpezat as a mark of quality, is masterfully maintained by its owner in partnership with the Vigouroux family. Thanks to this association, the estate has acquired a magnificent vinification cellar. It produces a wine served at the world’s most prestigious tables, fully reflecting the elegance of its surroundings. The Terroir: Perfectly drained and protected from erosion, this terroir is remarkable for its consistency and composition. THE SOIL: Clay-limestone and ancient Tertiary alluvium deposited on a stony subsoil where a few pebbles (gravel) from the river's original bed surface. LOCATION: Situated between the Causse and the valley overlooking the Lot, the estate occupies the main part of the plateau of one of the river's largest meanders, stretching from Albas to Belaye. CLIMATE: Some etymologists believe that "Léret" is related to the word for "air." Enjoying optimum sunshine, light breezes circulate on the plateau year-round, warding off extreme cold, preventing spring frosts, mitigating heatwaves during the summer, and promoting better ripening during the harvest. Vinification: Built in 1990-1991 to match the vineyard’s needs, the winery combines aesthetics with modern technology, allowing the oenologist to work with ease. Nature's generosity allows the winemaker to select from different vats and "play" with highly sophisticated blends. The wine is then aged for 18 to 24 months in barrels for the excellence and glory of the Château. GRAPE VARIETIES: Entirely replanted between 1965 and 1975, the rootstocks were perfectly selected based on soil composition. As a pilot vineyard for the Appellation, it is planted with 70% Malbec, 15% Merlot, and 15% Tannat.