Country: France > Bordeaux
Chateau L’if
In 2010, Jacques Thienpont, renowned for owning Pomerol’s Le Pin, purchased L’if, a Saint-Émilion estate named after the French word for Yew tree. The 8-hectare vineyard is planted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, with Cabernet Sauvignon gradually phased out. Located east of Saint-Émilion village, near Château Troplong Mondot, the vineyard’s terroir consists of chalky limestone and clay soils. Divided into 14 parcels, the estate underwent significant replanting and grass diversification after its acquisition. Future plans include increasing the percentage of Cabernet Franc in the vineyard.
- Appellation: Bordeaux, St. Emilion
- Owner: Jacques Thienpont
- Winemaker: Cyrille Thienpont
- Varieties Grown: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- Hectares/Age of Vines: 8 hectares
- Altitude/Soil: Plateau and chalky-clay hillside on asteriated limestone subsoil. Clay slopes on Agenais molasse subsoil. Clay-limestone slopes on a subsoil of Fronsadais molasse.
- Farming Methods: Sustainability