Chateau Boutisse, Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru, Bordeaux 2020

Since acquiring the property in 1996, the Milhade family have invested enormously in the vineyards and facilities at Château Boutisse. Today, it is no longer a surprise — dynamic young winemaker Marc Milhade has transformed this estate into an outstanding Saint-Émilion with ripe, structured and engaging character. In September 2022, Boutisse was elevated to “Grand Cru Classé” status, an achievement that the whole family was honored to receive.

Huge investments have been made into the vineyards since 1996, with several parcels of vines being completely replanted. When the soil was ripped and prepared for planting, large chunks of the recherché limestone were visible under the chalky clay topsoil. The vineyards enjoy an excellent southern exposure.

Relatively large for Saint-Emilion at 57 acres, Boutisse is planted largely with Merlot (88%) and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Cabernet Franc (1%) and Carmenere (1%). The estate is just at the eastern end of the fine limestone bedrock that underlies the very finest vineyards of Saint-Emilion, overlaid with clay-loam soils. The finesse and aromatic complexity from the limestone soils balance the energy and power brought by the clay soils.