BOUTIQUE wine producer
Where Medieval heritage meets
a modern expression of Tannat
When Michael Dee took over Château de Vialer, he became custodian of this historic estate’s noble past. Among the papers tucked away in an old box was a weathered wine label from the archives.
Inspired, he began replanting the vineyard exclusively with Tannat — the iconic grape of the Madiran region — on a small, southeast-facing plot perched high on the hillside with sweeping views over the market town of Lembeye.
This sunlit parcel, carefully tended through the heat of summer, yields grapes that are hand-harvested in mid-Autumn to produce a rich, deeply coloured Tannat … a wine first shared around the family table, crafted from the vineyard overlooking the Château.
Traditional winemaking
with a light touch
Once hand-picked, the grapes are swiftly de-stemmed and quality-checked at the winery. Only the free-run juice is used, with minimal addition of sulphur which produces a wine that is clean, expressive and contemporary in style while staying true to its traditions.
Following fermentation, the wine is transferred to oak barrels where it matures for at least 18 months, gaining complexity and structure. In the final stage, a meticulous selection by plot and barrel guides the blending process, bringing together the finest expressions of the vineyard and vintage.
- Hand-harvested in mid-Autumn
- Crafted with minimal intervention
- Only free-run juice
- Grown at 300m on south-facing, silt-clay slopes characterised by rocks and gravel
- Microclimate influenced by Atlantic breezes
- Aged for a minimum of 18 months in oak barrels.
At Château de Vialer deep-rooted tradition meets contemporary artisan expertise, crafting structured red wines with elegant poise to showcase the notorious ageing potential of the Tannat grape. As a result, releases are held back for a minimum of five years, with select vintages cellared for up to a decade before release.
Michael Dee and Christopher Burr MW have carefully curated the portfolio, so that each wine tells its own story of passion, patience and persistence:
Trinquet
by DEE
11’
Grand Vin
du Château de Vialer
Library Stock: limited release
Trinquet
by DEE
14’
Grand Vin
du Château de Vialer
Initial commercial release
Trinquet
Chevalier
de Luz
Deuxième Vin
du Château de Vialer
Assemblage second wine of the Estate, mainly from younger vines
Trinquet
by DEE
19’
Grand Vin
du Château de Vialer
(anticipated release: 2029)
On allocation
A rare gem from the library, this wine is a testament to the Estate’s historic origins. With layers of complexity and gentle mature elegance, the 2011 vintage offers a refined profile, showcasing the terroir typicity of Château de Vialer, with the potential to mature further.
The 2014 vintage of Château de Vialer is a harmonious and complex blend that encapsulates the true expression of the vineyard’s character. With bright dark fruit, a well-integrated ripe tannic structure and commendable persistence. Intensely gastronomic and setting the benchmark for future vintages.
“A wine of impressive depth and youthfulness revealing a deep, inky intensity.
Showcasing vibrant black cherry earthiness complemented by rich mushroom, dark chocolate and subtle leather with umami nuances. Distinctive barnyard aromas signal the wine’s developing maturity.
The velvety, ripe tannins are beautifully integrated, harmoniously balanced by vibrant acidity and offering exceptional persistence, with eucalyptus freshness on the finish.
Pairs perfectly with steak, rich cassoulets, duck and roasted goose.”
Assemblage second wine of the Estate, mainly from younger vines
A celebration of the Château’s winemaking artistry, Chevalier de Luz is a carefully crafted, fruit-forward assemblage offering a captivating balance of freshness and depth. Its bright fruit notes and softly rounded tannins make this wine an accessible yet sophisticated choice for all occasions.
“For a second wine, this is a true celebration of the Château’s winemaking artistry, Chevalier de Luz is a carefully crafted, fruit-forward assemblage that strikes a captivating balance between freshness and depth, with appealingly refined intensity.
On the nose, vibrant black and red cherry notes mingle with dark plum, delicate florality and beautifully integrated oak influence. The finish reveals complex layers of dark chocolate, cocoa nibs and subtle graphite hints, balanced by bright acidity.
This assemblage offers both immediate fulfilment and excellent ageing potential.”
A wine for the connoisseur, the 2019 vintage is currently maturing in our cellars, having spent 18 months in oak casks, and will be available on allocation at the beginning of the drinking window in 2029.
Anticipated to be a truly exceptional release, this wine will highlight the formidable potential of the Tannat grape, grown in the foothills of the Pyrenees and Madiran, while reflecting the enduring winemaking prestige of Château de Vialer.
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