THE VINEYARD

La Couspaude is planted with the same grape varieties as the other great wines of Saint-Emilion, and in similar proportions: a large majority of Merlot (75%), as well as Cabernet Franc (15%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%).

It is this predominance of Merlot, much more hardy than Cabernet, which accounts for the large number of old vines and the impressive average age (40 years).

This situation is perpetuated by complantation (the replacing of individual vines rather than entire vineyard plots).

The homogeneous nature of the soil and the age of the vines give La Couspaude a strong personality, which comes through whatever the vintage.

Furthermore, there is no special need to make a match particular grape varieties to different parts of the vineyard. The same proportion of grape varieties has been used for many years, and is based on repeated tasting.

Alain Aubert explains, "As compared to other estates with a complex soil-structure, where various grape varieties perform differently from year to year, La Couspaude is very consistent. There are minor variations in the soil, but wine from the less choice parts of the vineyard go into our second wine "Junior de La Couspaude". This is the reason behind La Couspaude's excellent quality, even in vintages generally considered mediocre".

Balance Between the Vine and the Soil

The optimum location to grow Merlot is on the 45th parallel. The climate is not warm enough further north, and there is a risk of botrytis (grey rot) further south. Ripeness is extremely important to us because only ripe skins produce the tannin and complex organic compounds that give our wine its character", sums up Alain Aubert.

The terroir at La Couspaud calls for "average" vigour in the vines because of two seemingly contradictory aims: maximum concentration (meaning that vines need to be in a permanent state of "stress"), and soil containing sufficient natural bacteria (without which the roots would become asphyxiated).

This complex balance is obtained thanks to carefully controlled yields.

Controlled yields

One method to control yields is to let a small amount of grass grow between the vine rows. This helps regulate the amount of nutrition the vine receives, and thus limits yields.

Major precautions must be taken during drought conditions. Foliage at La Couspaude is never too great, to avoid the risk of drying out the leaves.

If need be, the use of leaf fertilisers is preferred. However, the nearly permanent presence of water in the sub-soil means that this procedure rarely takes place.

All grass is removed, leaving the top soil entirely bare, when there is danger of frost damage. The difference in temperature is about 3° C. This helps the soil to retain heat, and eliminates problems due to frosts of medium intensity.

Pruning is an obvious way of keeping yields low, and this is done very severely at La Couspaude. The Guyot double system is used, and only 7 to 8 buds are left on each vine.

In certain years, bunch thinning is practised if the weather calls for it.

This happens, for instance, after a period of too much rain, when the grapes run the risk of becoming bloated, despite the absorbent effect of the grass and sub-soil, "Bunch thinning always entails an element of risk", according to Jean-Claude Aubert.
"Sometimes it can backfire due to certain weather conditions, such as hail."

In addition to the meagre soil and old vines, which naturally tend to reduce production, the above techniques keep production stable at about 40 hectolitres per hectare.

The leaves are thinned out by experienced vineyard workers. Only those leaves that really block out the sun are removed.

 

A FAMYLY COMMITMENT - BACKGROUND - THE TERROIR

THE VINEYARD - WINEMAKING - AGEING

 

© Class 99