Château Clos Saint-Martin

The land that became Château Clos Saint-Martin has been in continuous cultivation for centuries. The Reiffers family held the vineyard as far back as 1643, making it one of the longer-documented ownership histories in Saint-Émilion. The estate was formally established in 1850 and took its name from the Church of Saint-Martin that borders the property. Tradition holds that the enclosed vineyard, or clos, historically supplied communion wine for the neighboring presbytery, linking the site to the religious life of the town.

• Reiffers family ownership documented from 1643
• Formally established as an estate in 1850
• Named for the adjacent Church of Saint-Martin
• Historically believed to have supplied the presbytery with communion wine

Clos Saint-Martin sits on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, one of the appellation's most prized positions. The vineyard benefits from a southwestern exposure that maximizes afternoon sun and warmth, critical in this oceanic-continental climate where ripening can be marginal in cooler vintages. The soils are clay-limestone over a limestone bedrock, a combination that promotes natural drainage, moderate vine stress, and the mineral tension that defines the wines. At just 1.33 hectares, the entire estate is smaller than many single plots elsewhere in Bordeaux.

• Limestone plateau location with southwestern aspect
• Clay-limestone soils over limestone bedrock
• Oceanic-continental climate with cool terroir influence
• 1.33 hectares total, one of the smallest classified vineyards in all of Bordeaux

The blend follows a classic Saint-Émilion structure, with Merlot forming the backbone at 75 to 80 percent of plantings. Cabernet Franc contributes 10 to 15 percent, adding aromatic lift and structural backbone, while Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 5 to 10 percent. Michel Rolland, one of Bordeaux's most celebrated consultants, guides winemaking at the estate alongside owner and manager Sophie Fourcade. The combination of a limestone terroir specialist owner and a consultant with deep Right Bank experience shapes wines of precision and consistency.

• Merlot dominant at 75-80% of the blend
• Cabernet Franc 10-15%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5-10%
• Michel Rolland serves as consulting winemaker
• Sophie Fourcade manages the estate

Château Clos Saint-Martin received its Grand Cru Classé status in the original 1959 Saint-Émilion classification and has retained that standing. Its distinction within the classification is not just historical but also quantitative: at 1.33 hectares, it holds the title of smallest classified growth in Saint-Émilion. This micro-scale production means bottles are relatively scarce, and the estate enjoys a devoted following among collectors drawn to its intimate size and consistent quality.