Madame Danielle Meunier of Chateau Haut-Segottes is a living legend
Even at nearly 80 years old she can still be seen trudging around her prized collection of vineyards, proudly showing off some of the most privileged parcels in Saint-Émilion.
Madame Meunier is an endangered spices: one of just a final few vignerons in Bordeaux having learned the simplicity of farming and making wine from her parents rather than the local oenological institute. It is a rare breed of winemakers that is capable of the most unusual feat: both putting their own vivid thumbprint onto the wine that they produce, and allowing the wine to speak transparently of the vineyards.
Deservingly Grand Cru.
Saint-Émilion is comprised to two land forms: The steep Coteaux, the limestone escarpment where many generations of farmers and winemakers have built lengthy, picturesque, stone staircases to traverse the slope.
Just above the Coteaux lies the Graves: a pure gravel plateau allowing for supreme ripening of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is on this rocky stretch where Madame Meunier's three prime vineyard sites are situated.
Block #1 sits just beside the great La Dominique Grand Cru Classe
Block #2 sits beside the iconic Chateau Figeac
Block #3 sits beside Cheval Blanc. Château Cheval Blanc
This is just magnificent, classical Saint-Émilion.
The final product typically falls somewhere in the vicinity of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot.
In the grand scheme of Bordeaux production, this is remarkably small: around 3000 cases a year.