"This well-maintained, six-hectare (14.8-acre), southfacing, vineyard (4.5 are currently in production), sits almost directly across the Dordogne River from historic Castillon-La Bataille. Density is very high at 7,400 vines/ha. These are planted in clay and limestone soils with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Their average age is 25 years. The 2003 was the first vintage under new owner, Pascal Collotte, formerly the International Sales Manager for, and a partner in the Saury cooperage. Under the guidance of vineyard and winemaking consultant, Stephane Derenoncourt, farming is quasi-organic with the soils being mechanically tilled (rather than sprayed with so many noxious chemicals. Yields are kept deliberately low to facilitate ripening and concentration (in 2005, for example, these were 39 hls/ha before, and 32 hls/ha after, selection and saignee)." -Importer