Terroirs - Château Penin

Our domain

The terroirs

The wealth of Château Penin

Several elements are taken into account to define a Terroir: Soil and subsoil, climate and exposure, etc. It only really reveals itself thanks to the talent of the winegrower to cultivate and above all choose the grape varieties most suited to each vineyard plot. Also, to define the conditions for their cultivation, determine the vinification and aging techniques. It is at the cost of this combination of factors that a terroir expresses its best.

Vines are happiest in poor soils, sometimes even arid. We avoid planting it in rich and humid areas. The highly developed root system of the plant can spread down to ten meters in search of water. The roots draw on all of the nutrients from the subsoil.

The Deep Graves Terroir (gravelly soil)
25 hectares (Ages of vines up to 60 years)

Composed of a mixture of gravels and sands to a depth of 6-7 meters. These soil types are nutritionally poor and also porous. They therefore require the vines root systems to dive deeply, up to 12 meters, to find water and food. Partially restricted and so weak in vigour, the plant concentrates its energy on the enrichment of its fruits. The mix of gravel (brought by the river), sand and a bit of clay make up a warm early ripening soil helping the grapes to reach full maturity.

In the glass: for the Merlots, we obtain fleshy wines of low acidity, with round tannins. Often firm in their youth, the wines evolve with great finesse. For Cabernet Franc, this terroir brings freshness and crunch, supple, soft and delicious tannins. The CABERNET Franc finds its balance quickly.

The wines produced
Grande Sélection : Vines from 30 to 60 years old - Merlot grape
Tradition : Vines from 7 to 30 years old - Merlot and Cabernet blend
Excess Rouge / Déconfiné : Young vines - Merlot Cabernet blend
Cuvée Cabernet Franc : Vines over 10 years old - Cabernet Franc grape

The Pebble Terroir:
3 hectares

Under the effect of Quaternary glaciations, the glacier occupying the Dordogne valley rolled pebbles polished by the ice and deposited them on the hillside. The pebbles create a surface layer (30 cm), that store the daytime sunshine radiation and restore it by giving off heat at night. This in turn creates a favourable micro climate for the ripening of the grapes. The vine is only under moderate water stress because it very quickly finds an under layer of clay which provides it with the irrigation needed.

In the glass: We find a rich taste expression, the wines are round, fleshy, powerful and fresh at the same time. They are also very delicate.

The wine produces
Les Cailloux: Vines over 30 years old - Merlot grape

The Sandy silty Clayey Terroir:
4 hectares

Some would say, it is a "demanding" soil type, I would say "difficult". Located at the foot of the slope, it is the result of soil erosion. By dint of hard work and care, we have managed to tame it and reveal its potential. Gourmet and fruity wines are cultivated there with soft and crunchy tannins. The finesse of the wines is provided by the sandy component, the expression of the fruit by the clay, and the flexibility of the tannins by the silts.

In the glass: the expression of Merlot is that of all the freshness of the fruit; the wine is supple and crunchy. With great aromatic finesse, in dry years they are fleshier.

The wine produces
Natur Rouge : Vines over 10 years old - Merlot grape

The clay terroir on gravelly soil:
7 hectares

These soils of alluvial origin are composed ofclay on the surface and white gravel from the river underneath. The underground gravels naturally drain the soil. Surface clay limits water stress. These two elements ensure a beautiful expression of fruitiness, particularly in the Merlots.

In the glass: the wines easily develop notes of red fruits with supple and harmonious tannins and a beautiful presence in the mouth.

The wine produces
Clairet : Vines over 8 years old - Merlot / Cabernet blend

The Clay-Limestone Terroir:
7 hectares

Located on a clay hillside with a limestone subsoil, this area benefits from exceptional sunshine. The limestone acts as a sponge and releases humidity to the plant in the hot summer months. The yellow clays on the surface promote the expression of both the white and rosé. For the production of white, the maturity of the fruits can be pushed to its maximum because their plot is well ventilated, therefore not very sensitive to rot.

In the glass: for the White, on the nose, notes of white peaches, mangoes and citrus fruits. Tasty and harmonious on the palate, with good length. Suitable for aging, it develops aromas of candied fruits or dried fruits. For the Rosé, nice freshness, fruity, with a nice suppleness.

The wines produced
Penin Blanc : vines over 10 years old - Blend of Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc-Sauvignon gris grape varieties
Penin Rosé : Vines over 6 years old - Blend Cabernet and Merlot
Excess / Déconfiné Rosé : Young vines - Cabernet and Merlot blend