Château Le Chatelet
sha-TOH luh sha-tuh-LAY
A five-generation family estate near Saint-Émilion's monolithic church, restored to Grand Cru Classé status in 2012 after decades of perseverance.
Château Le Chatelet is a 3.18-hectare Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé producing roughly 15,000 bottles annually. Owned by the Berjal family for five generations, the estate was demoted from its original classification in 1996 following vineyard loss, then successfully reinstated in 2012. Consultant Philippe Melka guides winemaking on clay-limestone soils.
- 3.18 hectares of clay-limestone vineyards in Saint-Émilion
- Grand Cru Classé status restored in the 2012 classification
- Demoted in 1996 following significant vineyard loss
- Berjal family ownership spanning five generations
- Philippe Melka serves as winemaking consultant
- Planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc
- Annual production of approximately 15,000 bottles
Classification History
Château Le Chatelet holds a notably turbulent place in the Saint-Émilion classification story. The property was included in the very first Saint-Émilion classification, establishing its early prestige. However, significant vineyard loss led to demotion in the 1996 revision, a setback that pushed the estate outside the classified tier for over a decade. The Berjal family's sustained commitment to quality ultimately paid off when Le Chatelet was promoted back to Grand Cru Classé in the 2012 classification, reclaiming the status its vineyards had originally earned.
- Included in the first Saint-Émilion classification
- Demoted in 1996 after vineyard loss reduced the estate
- Reinstated as Grand Cru Classé in the 2012 revision
- Saint-Émilion classifications are reviewed periodically, unlike the fixed 1855 Médoc ranking
Terroir and Vineyard
The estate's 3.18 hectares sit on clay-limestone soils close to Saint-Émilion's iconic monolithic church, positioning the vines within one of the appellation's most historically significant areas. The property benefits from an exceptional microclimate characterized by outstanding sunshine and the moderating influence of a coastal climate, conditions that support consistent ripening of the Merlot-dominant blend. Clay-limestone soils are prized in Saint-Émilion for their water retention and mineral contributions, particularly well-suited to Merlot's preference for cooler, moisture-retentive ground.
- Clay-limestone soils support Merlot's vigor and complexity
- Located near Saint-Émilion's monolithic church in a prestigious zone
- Microclimate combines strong sunshine with coastal moderation
- Small 3.18-hectare size contributes to artisanal production levels
Viticulture and Winemaking
The blend at Le Chatelet follows a classic Saint-Émilion formula, with Merlot at 80% providing the structural backbone and plush fruit character, supported by 20% Cabernet Franc for aromatic lift and spice. Renowned Bordeaux consultant Philippe Melka brings his expertise to the estate, a winemaking appointment that signals the Berjal family's serious intent to produce wines worthy of their regained classification. Annual production sits at approximately 15,000 bottles, a small output that enables focused attention across the entire crop.
- 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc blend
- Philippe Melka consults on winemaking
- Approximately 15,000 bottles produced annually
- Small production allows precise vineyard and cellar management
Have a bottle from this producer?
Scan the label or type the name. Instant sommelier-level context for any bottle.
Look it up →Wine Style
Château Le Chatelet produces medium to full-bodied red wines that reflect the clay-limestone terroir and warm microclimate of their Saint-Émilion site. The wines show a core of dark cherry and plum, layered with notes of berries, licorice, spice, chocolate, and violet. This aromatic complexity is characteristic of well-made Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion, where the grape's natural density and supple tannin structure provide a rich, approachable framework with genuine aging potential.
- Medium to full-bodied with a plush, Merlot-driven texture
- Dark cherry, plum, and berry fruit at the core
- Secondary notes of licorice, spice, chocolate, and violet
- Reflects the richness typical of clay-limestone Saint-Émilion sites
Dark cherry, plum, and mixed berries lead, with supporting notes of licorice, warm spice, chocolate, and violet. The palate is medium to full-bodied with the supple tannin structure and generous texture characteristic of Merlot grown on clay-limestone soils in Saint-Émilion.
- Château Le Chatelet Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé$50-80The estate's sole red wine; showcases clay-limestone Merlot with Philippe Melka's winemaking input.Find →
- Saint-Émilion's classification is periodically reviewed, unlike the static 1855 Médoc ranking; Le Chatelet's demotion in 1996 and reinstatement in 2012 illustrates this dynamic system
- Le Chatelet was included in the first Saint-Émilion classification, demoted in 1996 after vineyard loss, and restored to Grand Cru Classé in 2012
- Clay-limestone soils dominate the Saint-Émilion plateau and slopes; they retain moisture and suit Merlot's growing requirements
- Philippe Melka is a notable Bordeaux-trained consultant working across prestigious estates on both sides of the Atlantic
- At 3.18 hectares with roughly 15,000 bottles annually, Le Chatelet exemplifies the small-scale, family-owned Grand Cru Classé model common in Saint-Émilion