Yet another star in Burgundy that is on the ascent, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard, is lauded by critics and loved by customers alike. Thus, It is unsurprising that Cathiard's wines are highly sought after. But beyond the rarity of the wine, these wines show remarkable youthfulness, freshness, and balance. The quality of Cathiard stems from a great understanding of terroir and impeccable farming practices in the vineyard.

Domaine Sylvain Cathiard

Domaine Cathiard was established in the 1930s by Sylvain's grandfather, who worked at DRC and later Lamarche. Most of the Domaine's fruit at that time was sold to local négoçe as was customary back then. Sylvain's father, André, ran the estate from 1969 until 1985, and his son became more involved in the latter years. Sylvain began to rent the family's vines by 'fermage' agreements before taking over his father's vines upon André's retirement in 1995. Since the late 2000s, Sylvain's son Sebastien has joined him at the domaine. Before that, Sebastien staged in Chablis, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, and New Zealand. His first vintage at the helm of the Domaine was in 2011. During the following years, he oversaw the construction of a new winery and cellars, completed in 2008.

The domaine has an impressive array of vineyards centred around Vosne-Romanée, including Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Aux Malconsorts and a prime parcel of Romanée-Saint Vivant. The Domaine's vineyards are famous in Burgundy for their impeccable condition, as care is taken to manage the vines. Sebastien's philosophy has always been that hard work in vineyards is critical for making great wines. Once arriving at the domaine, the fruit is wholly destemmed after rigorous sorting. Following Sebastien's belief that less new wood would create more terroir-driven wines, the use of new oak in all Cuvées is being reduced gradually (except for the Romeanée St-Vivant, where 100% new wood is still employed).

Cathiard's wines show youthfulness, exceptional energy, and purity of fruit throughout the entire range. The flagship wines are the Romanée St-Vivant and Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts, with an unmatched depth of flavor and exceptional persistence.

Dani Landi founded his own label to focus on ancient, high-elevation vineyards of the Sierra de Gredos and continued his profound work with Comando G. His friend Curro Barreño was native to the area and took over for Dani in 2021, renaming his project as Vitícola Mentridana, devoted to carrying on Dani's foundation of crafting old-vine, elegant wines that redefine Spain's wine landscape.

Viticola Mentridana

To understand Viticola Mentridana, it is crucial to understand the land where the vine is rooted. Sierra de Gredos is an area of rugged granite peaks, forests, and hilltop towns just a few hours southwest of Madrid. The fusion of high altitude, free-draining granitic soils, and a long growing season expanded by elevation gives the area a unique micro-climate. The hillside slopes are steep, and the vines cling to them like mountain goats. As striking as this imagery may be, it is unfortunate that many of these sites were abandoned decades ago as producers moved on to "greener," more fertile pastures.

But not too long ago, a new generation of winemakers arrived in this inhospitable terrain, discovering ancient vines and understanding their incredible potential for quality. Amongst these pioneer vignerons was Daniel Landi, who harvested old vines to produce elegant, mineral wines from old vine Grenache. Through his efforts with Comando G as well as his eponymous label, Daniel took great strides in re-defining the workhorse Garnacha wine, from a daily simple fruity beverage consumed by the nearby Madrileños into a product of great depth, complexity, and global appeal.

In 2021, Dani shifted his focus to Comando G Viticultores, a project he started with a college friend, Fernando Garcia. The reins of his property have been passed to childhood friend and exceptional vigneron Curro Barreño. Though gaining his reputation in Ribeira Sacra with Fedellos, Curro is a Gredos native and is exceptionally familiar with the region and its unique terroirs. The change of guard presents a new, exciting opportunity to see the newly labeled Viticola Mentridana grow on the foundation of Dani Landi's accomplishments yet develop its character and identity.

Since its acquisition in 1872 by Henri Greloud, Chateau Lafleur was destined to produce wines of great complexity and elegance. The vineyard land, a single contiguous parcel, is gifted with an incredible diversity of terroirs. Now, under the care of the great-great-grandchildren of Henri, the Guinaudeau family, the Chateau continues being one of the premier flag-bearers for Pomerol. The focus here is in the vineyard, with careful vine management ensuring the health and quality of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Chateau Grand Village

Château Lafleur was purchased in 1872 by Henri Greloud, the great-great-grandparent of the present proprietor, Jacques Guinaudeau. After renewing the vineyard and constructing the house and cellar, Henri baptized it as Château Lafleur. A brilliant, even prophetic-like idea, Henri had doubtlessly imagined the wines that would emerge here one day

The property has remained in the family since the original purchase, and Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau have managed the property for the family since 1985. In 2002, they purchased the shares held by other family members and became the sole proprietors, having had the great luck of vinifying the fruit of this mythic cru since that time together with their three children.

Château Lafleur is located at the crest of the Pomerol plateau directly adjacent to Château Petrus and contiguous to Châteaux La Fleur Petrus, Le Gay, Vieux Château Certan and Hosanna. The vineyard is 11.12 acres "d'un seul tenant"- one contiguous parcel. The indescribable complexity of Château La Fleur comes from the great diversity of its soil types: a gravel slope to the northwest, a clay-gravel soil toward the south, a gravel-sand soil toward the east and a rich vein of marl toward the center of the vineyard. The vines, on average, are 30 years old, with an average density of 5,900 vines per acre. The vineyard is planted to Merlot (50%) and Cabernet Franc (50%), one of the highest percentages of this varietal in the appellation. The unique ensemble of grape varieties must be evoked, having the vineyard planted with equal parts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which undoubtedly plays a significant role in the complexity of Lafleur. The priceless genetic heritage of the vineyard at Lafleur, above all our old vine Cabernet Franc, should be duly noted. Part of the vineyard is propagated using the massale selection, which André Robin carried out during the 1930s. His two daughters, Thérèse and Marie Robin, managed to save some of the original vines after the great frost of 1956, most notably the "Bouchet," the name for traditional Cabernet Franc of the right bank.

The estate holds a unique and rare place in the Bordeaux landscape. Above all, they are vignerons, present throughout the year in the vineyards, adapting to and working with nature and climate as best as possible. In the cellar, they adjust the vinification and aging of the wines to be in tune with each vintage's character, always searching for a delicate balance between the aromatic complexity of Cabernet Franc and the charm and energy of Merlot.

Château Lafleur is owned and managed by the Guinaudeau family. The tiny vineyard dates back to 1872, when Mr. Greloud, Mr. Jacques Guinaudeau's forebear, owner of Château Le Gay, purchased Mr. Bernier's parcel. With the meticulous attention of Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau, helped by their son Baptiste and his wife Julie, the wines continually express the natural depth and complexity of this unique vineyard.