Château Micalet

With a production of 12 barrels, Micalet appears for the first time in the 6th edition (1893) of Édouard Féret’s Bordeaux et ses Vins; it is then classified as a Cru Artisan by this author, without whom today’s wine literature, regulations, topographical surveys and so on would have no legitimacy.
This small wine estate – which was not yet called château Micalet – belonged to Monsieur Jean Péraud, at the “chaffre” of “Armand”. A farmer and pastry cook, born in Lamarque in 1875, he lovingly cultivated his plots of good vines which gave him, year in year out, some 10 barrels (of 900 litres). And, indeed, this love bore fruit, since on 17 March 1890 Jean Péraud obtained the medal of honour of the City of Paris for the vintages of Cru Micalet from 1887 to 1899! On the death of this passionate winegrower, in 1940, his daughter Madeleine, wife of M. Guiet, took over the property until 1972, when Denis Napoléon Célestin Fédieu and his wife Anne-Marie became the new owners of this vineyard of about 2 hectares (+ 1 to be planted). Little by little, through exchanges, purchases and new plantings, the property was restructured. From 1972 to 1985, vinification, ageing and storage took place in Lamarque; but as the vineyard grew (and the success of its wine with it), the cellars soon became too cramped and château Micalet moved the seat of its operations to Cussac-Fort-Médoc in 1986, into the historic cellars of château Moneins, property of Maurice Fedieu, the grandfather. Ten years later, Damien, the son, became co-operator of E.A.R.L. Fédieu château Micalet, and so Anne-Marie, Denis and Damien watch over the vines of this Cru Artisan, château Micalet, “a gourmet’s delight”.
In 2007, the hour of retirement struck for Anne-Marie and Denis. The second son, Dominique, joined his brother Damien. The Fédieu family has always been concerned with respecting the ecology of the terroir. In 2004, on 3.40 hectares of château Micalet, a conversion to organic viticulture began. The first vintage to benefit was 2005, with 12,000 bottles produced. In January 2006, the whole wine estate began its conversion to organic viticulture. A sustainable farming contract was put in place. Ecocert, the certification body, oversees its control.
This new direction, intended to make the most of the work and to produce a healthy wine of pleasure, is to the great pleasure of consumers. The harvests of château Micalet and Moneins are carried out by hand and followed by rigorous sorting. Numerous medals at national and international competitions (AWC Vienna, Amphore competition…) recognise the great quality of the wines. The motto of the house bears witness: “Good taste gladdens the hearts of men.”