EXCEPTIONAL NATURAL
CHARACTERISTICS

At the Château La Grave Figeac, nature has toiled patiently to create soil particularly favourable to wine-growing. The terroir is composed of sandy/gravelly soil with a firm, stony subsoil rich in iron-oxide and has three essential qualities:

• It is warm and therefore encourages the grapes to ripen early.
• It has a porous structure, so rainwater drains off well.
• It does not hold water and so the vines have to grow deep roots.

At full maturity and an average age of 45 years, the vine population comprises 65% Merlot, smooth and well-rounded, and 35% Cabernet Franc, which gives the wine structure and sophistication. The vineyard is renewed by replacing any vine stocks that have died off during the year. This process is called racotage.