# Château Clos de Boüard (2020)

- **Producer:** Château Clos de Boüard
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €24
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blueberry, blackberry, cherry, plum, mint, lavender, blackcurrant, chocolate, cedar, vanilla, cloves, tobacco, leather, forest floor

## About this wine

Château Clos de Boüard, formerly known as Château Tour de Musset, was acquired in late 2016 by Coralie de Boüard and her husband, Loïc Maillet. Coralie represents Right Bank royalty as the daughter of Hubert de Boüard, the legendary co-owner and former winemaker of Château Angélus. Located in the satellite appellation of Montagne-Saint-Émilion, the estate features exceptional south-facing clay-limestone slopes directly facing the prestigious Grands Crus Classés hills of Saint-Émilion. Coralie's ambition is to apply the same elite viticultural care, low yields, and state-of-the-art techniques used at Angélus to this terroir, proving its capacity to yield a Grand Vin of true nobility and depth at an approachable price point.

## Interesting facts

- Proprietor Coralie de Boüard is the daughter of Hubert de Boüard, the legendary co-owner and former winemaker of Château Angélus.
- The estate's south-facing clay-limestone slopes directly face the prestigious Grands Crus Classés hills of Saint-Émilion.
- In 2020, a severe selection process rejected 30% of the harvest to maintain the exceptional quality of the Grand Vin.

## Food pairing

This structured, medium-to-full-bodied Right Bank Bordeaux pairs beautifully with rich red meats and game, where the wine's velvety yet prominent tannins cut through the fat. The bright acidity and fresh Cabernet Franc component complement earthy flavors like wild mushrooms, while the ripe fruit profile balances savory, slow-cooked dishes and aged hard cheeses.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Clos de Boüard is defined by precision and minimal intervention. The 2020 harvest was entirely hand-picked and underwent rigorous manual, mechanical, and optical sorting. Vinification is conducted on a strict plot-by-plot basis in temperature-controlled concrete and stainless steel vats. Pre-fermentation cold soaking is performed at 8°C to 10°C to extract vibrant primary fruit and color. Extraction is managed gently using manual punch-downs (pigeage) over a total maceration period of three to five weeks. Malolactic fermentation is carried out directly in French oak barrels, followed by 18 months of aging in French oak casks, utilizing 30% to 50% new oak depending on the parcel selection.