The vineyards of Château La Couspaude lie to the north-east of the town, 400 metres from the village's monolithic church. It is one of the few properties that have the privilege of being located in the heart of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion. This 7-hectare estate is entirely enclosed by walls, which makes it possible to distinguish the oldest vintages of the village, and is magnificently located on the heights of the Saint-Emilion limestone plateau.
Exceptional
Terroir
The soil of La Couspaude reflects the fine characteristics of the Saint-Emilion limestone plateau.
It is composed of a thin clay-limestone layer (40 to 80 centimetres thick) and a hard limestone subsoil. The vines are rooted in the limestone and benefit from a natural regulation of the soil's water reserves. Excess water from winter, spring and sometimes summer is stored in the rock and released to the vines during dry periods. This means that the vine does not suffer from either drought or over-watering during its annual cycle. This natural regulation of water, coupled with the poor soil, slightly undulating topography and good exposure to the sun, are the main components of the Château La Couspaude terroir.
It is located a few hundred metres to the north-east of the town, at an altitude of between 75 and 85 metres. The soils recognised to date on the land of Château La Couspaude appear to be of extremely high quality in that they offer the capacity for excellent regulation of the vine's nutrition. The series of soils present here is totally representative of the geomorphological and pedological characteristics of the limestone plateau to the west of Saint-Emilion, where almost all the Premiers Grands Crus Classés are concentrated. Old maps clearly show that, on this plateau and at La Couspaude, the land has been continuously used for vine monoculture for at least 300 years. So La Couspaude is located in the elite core of Saint-Emilion. The first edition of the Féret, a sort of directory of Bordeaux wines, was spot on and included La Couspaude in the list of Saint-Emilion First Growths.
THE CHÂTEAU
Château La Couspaude is an 18th-century Carthusian monastery with a 900m² paved courtyard at its centre.
One entire wing of the building is reserved exclusively for receiving wine professionals (clients, press, Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux primeur tastings, etc.) and the public. The rooms can accommodate over 200 people and a well-equipped professional kitchen means that all types of events can be organised.
The traditional classical style (Gironde tiles, exposed beams, high ceilings, large open fireplaces) makes Château La Couspaude a welcoming place that is very popular with tourists.
In the right wing is the winemaking cellar. The winemaking cellar is directly linked to the reception rooms by the underground cellars, typical of the Saint-Emilion appellation, where the barrel cellar is located. This layout enables an uninterrupted tour of the entire property.
