Château Roland La Garde is a Biodynamic estate in St-Seurin-de-Cursac in the Blaye–Côtes de Bordeaux AOC region on Bordeaux’s right bank.

Owner: Bruno Martin took over at Château Roland La Garde from his father, Olivier. In 2002 Bruno Martin bought a neighbouring vineyard, Château Sainte-Luce Bellevue in the commune Blaye, which had belonged to Mme Geneviève Abadié. Bruno’s son Guillaume, who represents the 8th generation, is also involved in the running of the business.

Staff: Oenologist: Nicolas Piffre (local).

Vineyards–Château Roland La Garde: Château Roland La Garde is the family vineyard, located in St Seurin de Cursac. It comprised 25 hectares (61.8 acres) when Bruno took over but now (2017) covers 29 hectares (71.6 acres). Clay-limestone terroir. 74% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Malbec.

Vineyards–Château Sainte-Luce Bellevue: This was bought in 2002 by Bruno Martin and lies in the hamlet of Sainte Luce, on the banks of the Gironde, near Roland La Garde. Sainte Luce was a small fishing village attached to the town of Blaye in the nineteenth century. The church, founded in 1660 following a donation from the Duc of Saint Simon, has long been the seat of a brotherhood of tailors. Clay-limestone soils. The vineyard is old and extends over 10 hectares (24.7 acres) of which 8.5 hectares (21 acres) are devoted red (78% Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec 7%) and 1.40 hectares (3.5 acres) are white (80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscadelle).

Biodynamics: 2017: Horn manure 500, Prepared horn manure 500P, Horn silica 501. 600-litre dynamizer (earthenware = ‘en terre cuite’).

Certification: 2002 First vintage with full organic certification. | 2014 First vintage with full Demeter Biodynamic certification.

Tourism: 50,000 year old Stone Age relics.

Wines

Bordeaux–Côtes de Blaye Blanc AOC, Château Sainte-Luce Bellevue, Les Aubelines Blanc . 2013 80% SB, 20% Muscadelle. Woody, Burgundian, nice fruit. Well put together (Millésime Bio 2017).

Bordeaux–Côtes de Blaye Rouge AOC, Château Roland La Garde, Tradition: 2012 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Reliable sappy fruit (Millésime Bio 2017).

Bordeaux–Côtes de Blaye Rouge AOC, Château Roland La Garde, Prestige: The Cuvée Prestige is the second wine of Roland La Garde. 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec.

Bordeaux–Côtes de Blaye Rouge AOC, Château Roland La Garde, Grand Vin: The flagship wine. From a plot selection. 2012 60% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Very nice (Millésime Bio 2017). | 2014 Mainly Merlot. 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec. Well put together (Millésime Bio 2017).

Bordeaux–Côtes de Blaye Rouge AOC, Château Roland La Garde, Original Malbec: 100% Malbec. 20hl/ha apparently.

Contact

Château Roland La Garde

8, La Garde

33390 St Seurin de Cursac (Gironde), France

Tel+33 (0)5.57.42.32.29 | Website: www.roland-la-garde.com