Location and History
The Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac is located in Saint-Émilion in the Bordeaux region in the north-west of the town, towards Libourne and Pomerol. The vineyard sits on a gravel terrace, known locally as Graves de Saint-Émilion.
At the end of the 19th century, the estate was known as La Marzelle Figeac and was completely rebuilt in 1895 following the phylloxera crisis. It was formed from the former holdings Clos Lamarzelle Grand Barrail and Lamarzelle Figeac, which had been separated from Château Figeac in the second half of the 19th century. In 1906, the adjacent vineyard Clos Lamarzelle was added. Dourthe took over the estate in 2005.
Vineyards and Grape Varieties
The planted area covers 15 hectares, with a planting density of 6,060 to 6,700 vines per hectare. Cultivated are 9.5 hectares of Merlot and 5.5 hectares of Cabernet Franc. Merlot is grown on clay-rich subsoils, while Cabernet Franc is planted predominantly on parcels with flint gravel.
The subsoil consists of Fronsadais molasse and green sand stone, covered by brownish sandy colluvium; there are also formations of flint gravel. Documented measures include a reasoned cover crop, temporary cover cropping depending on the growth vigour of the plots, manual removal of buds, shooting removal, leaf removal, removal of side shoots and selective green harvesting. The grapes are picked by hand plot by plot or in small plots into crates, staggered according to their ripeness. The estate holds the Terra Vitis and Haute Valeur Environnementale certifications, level 3; HVE 3 was achieved in 2018.
Cellar Work
After density-based selection, the sorting is carried out manually. Vinification takes place separately by lots in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats, some of which are equipped for pigeage. The wines mature separately for twelve to fourteen months in oak barrels.
Wine
The Château produces a red wine of the AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. Its profile is described as combining finesse, aromatic purity and fine tannins, with no massive structure in the foreground.
