Von Neipperg labels go organic

The 2014 vintage will represent the first certifiably organic wines from Vignobles von Neipperg’s premier grand cru classé St Emilion estates.

From the 2014 vintage onwards, Château Canon La Gaffelière and La Mondotte will be made from organically managed vineyards.

A statement from the company explained: “2014 is the culmination of many years spent enhancing biodiversity and microbial life in the soil. This ultimately led to organic certification (FR-BIO-10) for Château Canon La Gaffelière and La Mondotte.

“Both estates also obtained ISO 14001 certification as part of an Environmental Management System.”

The statement continued that the benefits of this organic philosophy had borne fruit (quite literally) with the more recent 2015 vintage particularly with regards the ripening of the various grape varieties.

The company added: “This even, regular growth has become more apparent with each passing year and confirms the choices we have made in the vineyard: Château Canon La Gaffelière and La Mondotte have been entitled to organic certification since the 2014 vintage.

“In addition, Clos de l’Oratoire and Château d’Aiguilhe benefit from the same production philosophy.

“Physiological maturity and phenolic maturity are no longer far apart, and now occur earlier and more evenly.”

As for the potential quality of the 2015 vintage, the group added: “No one can deny how generous Mother Nature was in 2015. There were both quantity and quality this year. In fact, the vintage looks truly very beautiful, even at this early stage of winemaking.

“At this stage of ageing, the various vats of wine are already showing rare aromatic complexity. The new wines are well-focused and fruity with some peppery notes. They are powerful, but have a silky tannic structure.

“Wait and see…”