Château Maine Chaigneau 2022 | Montagne Saint-Émilion

Wine Identification
The Château Maine Chaigneau is a red wine from the 2022 vintage, produced by the eponymous winery located in Néac. It holds the Montagne-Saint-Émilion appellation within the broader Bordeaux region of France.

Origin and Winemaking
This wine represents four generations of the Courty family’s stewardship. The vineyards cover approximately 1.5 hectares, situated on clay-limestone soils over the Oligocene limestone plateau. The blend consists of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Production is limited to roughly 12,000 bottles per vintage, adhering to HVE 3 certification standards. The winemaking process involves aging for 12 months in stainless steel tanks without the use of oak barrels.

Tasting Profile
As a red Bordeaux from Montagne-Saint-Émilion, this wine is crafted from Merlot-dominant grapes grown on calcareous clay soils. The absence of oak aging suggests a focus on preserving primary fruit characteristics and freshness rather than imparting vanilla or toast notes. The blend structure, with Cabernet Franc providing complexity alongside the dominant Merlot, typically yields a wine that balances approachable fruitiness with the mineral undertones derived from its specific terroir.

Overall Character
The Château Maine Chaigneau 2022 is a small-production, family-run Bordeaux red that emphasizes purity and terroir expression. By aging entirely in stainless steel, it likely presents a vibrant, fruit-forward profile with clear delineation of its Merlot and Cabernet Franc components.