Who makes it
Bird and bat boxes sit among hedgerows, beehives and fruit trees at Château des Annereaux. The Lalande de Pomerol estate on Bordeaux's Right Bank is managed by Benjamin Hessel, who joined for the 2013 harvest. He carries on the château's legacy with a strong agroecological focus. Organic farming practices shape the estate's work, alongside solar panels and habitat measures across the grounds. The estate makes Château des Annereaux and Le Benjamin.
Benjamin Hessel joined Château des Annereaux for the 2013 harvest and became manager. His work carries the château's legacy forward with a strong agroecological focus. Hedgerows, beehives, fruit trees, bird and bat boxes and solar panels form part of the estate's farming measures. The programme combines vine cultivation with planted habitat, pollinator support, wildlife shelter and solar power.
Where it grows
The Lalande de Pomerol appellation occupies Bordeaux's Right Bank, where the vineyard lies on gravelly, sandy and clay soils with large pebbles. Gravel and pebbles let rainwater move away quickly, while clay holds moisture around the roots. Sand warms readily and keeps the soil open. In a red Bordeaux vineyard, those different water and heat behaviours affect ripening, fruit weight and freshness.
What they make
Two named wines define the range. Château des Annereaux 2018 is composed of 85% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is medium to full bodied and understated, with soft tannins, freshness and a mineral finish.
Le Benjamin is 95% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. It is fermented in concrete vats and matured in tanks. The wine has a dark garnet colour, blackcurrant and black cherry aromas, plus peppery and smoky spice from the Petit Verdot. The two bottles differ in grape composition and cellar vessels.