A Saint-Émilion estate purchased by Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard in 2000, with a 2012-renovated estate and gravity-fed cellar movement.
The producer
Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard purchased Château Barde-Haut in September 2000. Renovations were completed in 2012, and the redesigned property includes solar panels, rainwater collection and recycling filters, and a small wind turbine for outdoor lighting. In the cellar, wine and grapes move by gravity through wooden, stainless-steel and concrete vessels. The 2020 combines Merlot and Cabernet Franc and has firm tannins, compact structure and a persistent finish.
Known for
Gravity-fed Saint-Émilion red
Notable facts
The cellar has 15 temperature-controlled wooden vats plus stainless-steel and concrete tanks holding 50 to 70 hectolitres.
Punch-downs are done by hand, and malolactic fermentation takes place predominantly in new French-oak barrels.
Château Barde-Haut 2020 was raised with 60% new barrels and shows black and blue fruit, toasted spice, nuts and dark chocolate.
From the atlas
Château Barde-Haut
At A Glance
Country
France
Location
Eastern Saint-Émilion
2020 blend grapes
Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Cellar flow
Gravity-fed
Cellar vessels
Wood, stainless steel, concrete
The Producer
Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard purchased Château Barde-Haut in September 2000. Renovations and remodeling were completed in 2012. The redesigned property includes a green roof with solar panels, filters that collect, clean and recycle rainwater, and a small wind turbine used for outdoor lighting.
Grapes and wine move through the cellar by gravity. Its equipment comprises 15 temperature-controlled wooden vats alongside stainless-steel and concrete tanks ranging from 50 to 70 hectolitres. Punch-downs are performed by hand, while malolactic fermentation takes place predominantly in new French-oak barrels.
The estate's general maturation regime lasts about 18 months, using 80% to 100% new oak depending on the vintage.
Wines
Château Barde-Haut 2020 blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Its maturation used 60% new barrels.
The wine has rich, generous fruit and a silky, powerful palate. Black and blue fruit meet toasted spice, nuts and dark chocolate. Firm tannins frame a compact structure and velvety texture, followed by spice and peel on a persistent finish.