Chateau Jonqueyres was built in 1685 and the Audy family has lived here since about 1900. The estate is located at the summit of a hillside in the Entre Deux Mers region, with ideal clay-limestone soil. The present owner, Anne-Marie Audy-Arcaute, who represents the fourth generation, has recently rebuilt the cellars and upgraded the cuverie with new stainless steel tanks.

Anne-Marie, aided by children Anthony and Dorothee, produces a rich, velvety-textured wine. 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 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 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 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.)