Château La Cardonne

Château La Cardonne is located in the northeast of the Médoc, a little north of the wine-growing community of Saint-Estéphe. 

Château La Cardonne - wine with time

In 1769, the estate first appears on Cassini's map of France. In 1850 it is mentioned in the Féret, the Bordeaux "wine bible". In 1932, Château La Cardonne finally received its Cru Bourgeois classification by the Chamber of Commerce of Bordeaux. In 1973 it becomes part of the Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite, opening up completely new possibilities and distribution channels. This acquisition was also to be a radical change for Château La Cardonne, as from this point on a major replanting project was launched. 

The current history of Château La Cardonne

In 1990, Guy Charloux finally bought the estate and immediately began modernizing the winery. Thus, in addition to new technology, a cellar is built at a depth of 10 meters, known locally as the "Cathedral". In 2016, another modernization should take place. Château La Cardonne wines are vinified with the aim of a long ageing. So the wines are rather something for the patient connoisseur, about 10-20 years recommends the estate as a maturation period for its wines.

Terroir and cellar of Château La Cardonne

Different soils can be found around the Château La Cardonne. The higher vineyards have gravel soils with a clay base, while as you go down the hills, you will increasingly come across limestone and marl. The wines from different plots are therefore vinified separately for their character. The typical Bordeaux grape varieties

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Petit Verdot and
• Cabernet Franc

are represented. In the cellar, classic oak barrels are used, the maturation normally lasts 12 months, but for special vintages it is increased to 16.