Xavier Milhade Wines
Château Boutisse 2020
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
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.
Vineyard
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.
Winemaking
Everything at the estate is orientated towards quality. After sorting, the grapes are gravity fed to small, temperature controlled stainless steel vats that are squat, in order to optimize cap to juice ratio and improve extraction. Underground concrete tanks allow run off by gravity. A part of the harvest is also fermented directly in 500 liter barrels. Natural yeasts trigger a prolonged fermentation, followed by a three week maceration for extraction of color, fruit and tannin. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new oak barrels in the adjacent cellars, 70% new. Fining is done with egg whites and racking is done every 3 month until bottling after 15-18 months.
Vintage
A rainy winter followed cool spring weather and inconsistent flowering, but the summer weather was dry and warm with even temperatures through harvest. A little August rain helped the vines mature and kept acidities fresh. Bordeaux’s Right Bank did exceptionally well, and Merlot and Cabernet Franc were particularly successful. The wines are rich, full, and savory, with ripe acidity and round, sweet tannins – an excellent vintage for the cellar, which nonetheless can be enjoyed young for its exuberant fruit
Tasting Note
Deep garnet, with a nose rich in spices including cinnamon, cloves, star anise and nutmeg that open up to more aromas of mocha, grilled bread and caramel. On the palate the wine is full-bodied but velvety, with elegant tannins and a long finish.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot
Appellation
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Farming
Since 2018, our 3 estates are all certified “High Environmental Value” Level III. This highest level of certification affirms our commitment and guarantees our management of numerous environmental parameters.
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$45
Reviews
"Wonderfully pure, elegant"
Vinous - March 1, 2023 "The 2020 Boutisse is a gorgeous, wonderfully pure, elegant Saint-Émilion. Dark cherry/plum fruit, mocha, crushed rocks and blood orange are all beautifully delineated. The 2020 is silky and vibrant, with lively acids and tons of energy. Readers looking for a polished, mid-weight Saint-Émilion will adore this." -A.G 2/23
Reviews
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Château des Ormeaux
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Nestled under the stewardship of Julien Richard, a dedicated third-generation winemaker and the husband of Elodie Milhade (also the proprietor of Château Tour Bayard), this estate flourishes with a commitment to sustainability.
Château Recougne
Bordeaux Superieur
Chateau Recougne has produced wine for more than 400 years,and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. This wine offers pure Bordeaux unadulterated and pure.
Château Recougne Blanc
The Milhade family has been landowners in Bordeaux for three generations and currently own six properties in the right bank regions of Saint-Émilion, Lussac- Saint-Émilion, Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Bordeaux Supérieur. Their wines represent both amazing value in Bordeaux and the beautiful results that can be achieved by small family estates focused on producing high quality wines. The wines are marked by wonderful, expressive fruit and retain an authenticity and soulfulness.
Château Montcabrier
Château Montcabrier is a selection parcèllaire from the Milhade family’s estate, Château Recougne. This property has produced wine for more than 400 years, and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. The Milhade family purchased the property in the early 1950s, and Recougne has become their flagship estate, producing quintessential pure Bordeaux each vintage – classic “claret” in the best sense of the word. Montcabrier is a produced in the same manner as Recougne, but from younger vines and parcels giving more forward, fruity wines
Château Tour Bayard
Château Tour Bayard is a recent addition to the Milhade portfolio, coming into the family through marriage. This 25 acre property has been run by the Richard family since 1956, and is now regarded as one of the top estates in the appellation.