Château Pas de L'Ane

A lesser known Bordeaux estate, this 7-hectare property lies in the eastern part of Saint-Émilion, in the Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes. Arnaud Delaire and Nicolas Baptiste bought the château following the purchase of another estate, Château Branda in 1998. The vineyards are planted to Merlot (60%) and Cabernet Franc (40%) which lie on clay limestone soils. The grapes are harvested by hand with fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine is then aged in 100% new French oak barrels. With the advice of Pascal Chatonnet, a well-known Bordeaux consultant, the château makes wines which tends to be opulent, spicy and rich. In addition to their flagship, Pas de l’Ane bottling, they also make a second wine, Château Haut Saint-Brice.