List of products by brand CLOS DES MENUTS

Nestled at the foot of the ramparts of Saint-Émilion, Clos des Menuts covers 25 hectares of argilo-calcaire and sandy-clay soils in one of Bordeaux's most celebrated appellations. The château's history stretches back to 1538, and since 1956 the Rivière family has guided it with quiet consistency, blending a dominant Merlot (85%) with small proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to produce structured, terroir-driven reds. At Halles Quercamps, we have selected this château for the reliability of its wines across vintages, the remarkable medieval monolithic cellars carved beneath the town, and the Rivière family's commitment to HVE certification. A sound, characterful Saint-Émilion for those who value history in the glass as much as on the label.

At the foot of the ancient ramparts of Saint-Émilion, Clos des Menuts represents a rare continuity in Bordeaux: more than five centuries of viticulture on the same argilo-calcaire terroir, carried forward today with rigour and conviction by the Rivière family.

A château rooted in the history of Saint-Émilion

The earliest written record of Clos des Menuts dates to 1538, in a deed of sale drawn up by the Frères Mineurs — the Franciscan friars who long shaped the spiritual and agricultural life of the town. This document places the château among the oldest documented vineyards in Saint-Émilion, an appellation already celebrated across Europe by the sixteenth century. The property passed through several hands before being acquired in 1895 by Jean Edmond Andrieu, whose family maintained it until 1956, when Jean Pierre Rivière took ownership. Today, Jean Pierre and his son Philippe Rivière run the château together, preserving its character while bringing a modern, responsible approach to the vineyard.

Terroir: argilo-calcaire slopes at the town's edge

The 25 hectares of Clos des Menuts lie on the western slopes at the base of Saint-Émilion's medieval walls, a position that benefits from good drainage and gentle afternoon light. The soils are predominantly argilo-sableux — sandy clay — over a subsoil of alios with crasse de fer, the iron-rich hardpan characteristic of parts of the Saint-Émilion plateau and its fringes. This combination encourages the vines to root deeply, tempering both excess moisture and summer drought. The encépagement reflects the classic logic of the appellation: Merlot at 85% provides the wine's generous fruit and supple structure, while Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Cabernet Franc (5%) contribute backbone, aromatic lift, and ageing potential.

HVE certification and responsible viticulture

Clos des Menuts holds HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification, the French national standard recognising vineyards that meet demanding criteria across biodiversity, plant protection, fertilisation, and water management. For the Rivière family, this is not a marketing exercise but a coherent extension of their long-term stewardship of the land. The medieval monolithic cellars beneath the château — carved directly from the limestone rock and listed among the finest in Saint-Émilion — provide naturally stable conditions for élevage, maintaining consistent temperature and humidity without artificial intervention.

The wines of Clos des Menuts

Saint-Émilion Rouge — the estate's principal wine: Merlot-led, with dark fruit, earthy minerality from the iron-rich subsoil, and a structure suited to medium-term cellaring. Approachable young, but rewarding with three to eight years in bottle.

Why we have selected Clos des Menuts

We have listed Clos des Menuts at Halles Quercamps for three straightforward reasons. First, the consistency of the wines: across the vintages we have tasted, the château delivers honest, well-made Saint-Émilion without the price inflation that afflicts many of its neighbours. Second, the depth of history: a first written record in 1538 and medieval cellars that remain in daily use give this château a tangible connection to Saint-Émilion's past that few producers can match. Third, the HVE commitment: for customers who care about how their wine is grown, this certification provides a verifiable guarantee rather than a vague promise.

Clos des Menuts suits the confirmed Bordeaux amateur who wants a genuine Saint-Émilion at a sensible price — whether for the cellar, for a dinner party, or as a considered gift. At table, we find it particularly well matched to roast lamb, duck confit, or a well-aged hard cheese such as Comté.