Chateau Jonqueyres was
built in 1685 and the Audy family has lived here since about 1900. The
estate is located on a plateau at the summit of a hillside in the Entre
Deux Mers region, with an ideal clay-limestone soil. Anne-Marie
Audy-Arcaute, who represents the fourth generation, has recently
rebuilt the cellars and upgraded the cuverie with new stainless steel
tanks. She and her son Anthony have brought Chateau Jonqueyers to new
levels of complexity, depth of flavor and elegance.
The
grapes are harvested by hand as late as possible for optimal maturity,
and are meticulously sorted to remove any imperfect fruit. The
fermentation and vatting process is extended to three weeks for maximum
extraction of color and flavor. Chateau Jonqueyres is matured for the
most part in stainless steel tanks. 15% of the harvest is aged in oak
casks, one third of which are new each year. The wine is vinified so as
to deliver the maximum expression of fruit with a fine balance of
concentration, ripe tannins and a discreet touch of oak.
Chateau
Jonqueyres Jonqueyres is the ideal, Merlot-based Bordeaux for every day
drinking. In the words of Robert Parker, Chateau Jonqueyres makes “high
quality wines that can compete with more famous estates.” Chateau
Jonqueyres is packed with supple, cassis-scented Merlot fruit and offer
flavors of dark cherries, cranberries and plums with a supple, vevety
texture. The wine is ready for current enjoyment and represents
outstanding value. (The name of the wine is pronounced Jon-kear, to
rhyme with pear.)
