Presentation
Calicem comes from a small plot on sandy clay soil with Fronsadais molasse (limestone) fringes of less than 1 hectare. The plot is located on the South-West slope of Saint-Émilion, and is adjacent to the classified plots of Couvent des Jacobins at 'Rivalon' slope. It was planted in 1961/1962, leading to an average vine age exceeding 50 years, naturally low yields, a well-developed root system and small, concentrated berries. The vineyard and technical team is the same as for Couvent des Jacobins but the plot is vinified entirely independently and separately from Couvent des Jacobins. The small plot size allows very high precision in the vine works, highly tailored selections as well as vineyard and vinification experimentations that would be difficult to undertake in a larger surface. 2016 is the second vintage of CALICEM we produced on this small plot after 2015, and is characterized by the silkiness of its tannins.
Origin
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.
History
Plot purchased by the JEAN and JOINAUD-BORDE families in 2015.
Estate size
Less than 1 hectare.
Vineyard age
The plot was planted in 1961/1962 and has been exclusively renewed through vine complantations, leading to an average age of more than 50 years.
Yield
Given the high average age of vines in the plot, the yield was equivalent to about 25 hectolitres per hectare in the 2016 vintage.
Production
About 180 cases.
Blend
100% merlot.
Vine works
Special attention placed on managing the very old age of the vines. Similar to sister estate Couvent des Jacobins, we started using organically-certified products in 2015 immediately after the plot purchase, with a target of organic certification by 2020.
Harvest
100 % hand harvests on October 2, 2016, with a first grape selection on the plant.
Winemaking
One sorting table with 4 sorters at small speed, with berries falling directly into the oaks for immediate vatting by gravity. Whole-barrel vinification ('vinification intégrale') in three 600-litre barrels and one 225-litre barrel for the whole plot, with multiple daily slow manual pigeages for color extraction. Pre-fermentation extraction of 5 days at 7°C to 12°C. Temperature-controlled extraction of 30 to 32 days depending on the barrel and based on extensive tasting. The plot was originally planted in merlot, but a few cabernet plants (about 5% of the total) have been identified, marked, harvested and vinified independently.
Ageing
Exclusively French oak barrels of 600L and 225L from Allier/Tronçais/Bertranges. Potential ageing of 16 to 20 months in oak (including the vinification intégrale). Mix of about 70% of new demi-muids (600L), 30% in barrels of 1 wine. We will potentially do two to three rackings during ageing.
Miscellaneous Data
About 14.5% vol. and pH of about 3.80.