Domaine de la Pointe, Pomerol 2018

The method of production is based on sustainable viticulture, ploughing between the rows, double Guyot pruning, debudding, green harvesting and one or two leaf trimming and thinning out according to the climate. The grapes are hand picked and sorted before being de-stemmed. Indigenous yeasts are left to naturally control alcoholic fermentation which takes place for 10 to 15 days in cement or stainless steel tanks. At the beginning of the maceration, the process of pumping over occurs 3 to 4 times a day, although pneumatic pressing also takes place. Malolactic fermentation follows. The wine is the aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, selected specifically for the finesse of their tannins. Vignobles Silvestrini use French oak mainly from centre of France (Allier, Tronçais) and a little from South West.

Developing their family business over three generations, it has been an exciting journey for the Silvestrini family in Bordeaux since Aurelien and Regine’s original purchase of the one-hectare vineyard. From that courageous beginning, the winery now comprises 35 hectares in total and three of the most prestigious appellations of the Libournais: Lussac-St-Emilion (28 hectares), Montagne-Saint-Emilion (5.5 hectares) and Pomerol (1.2 hecatres). After Aurelien and Regine, each subsequent generation has played its part in this success story.

In 1982, Aurelien and Regine’s son Max gave up his career in industry having graduated in chemical engineering to join the family business with his wife Liliane. Their contribution has been a fundamental and continual updating and improvement of the cellars, winemaking techniques and subsequent wine quality.

Since 2005, the most recent generation, Jerome and Sabine, aim to combine traditional and modern techniques to achieve an inextricable balance to the finished wines. They particularly concentrate on monitoring the growing cycle of the vines in order to maintain, anticipate and quality-check the yields and grapes, and this is followed by a plot by plot harvest designed to ensure optimal ripeness of their fruit. The grapes then begin a long maceration, and during the fermentation process the temperature is strictly controlled and tastings take place at frequent intervals. The wine is then subtly blended, aged and finally comes to life and although Vignobles Silvestrini’s vineyards are based in the hottest, driest part of Bordeaux, the climate is temperate and oceanic and assists in the formation of  these stunning wines.