The Chateau Vrai Canon Bouché estate extends across 13 hectares of fossil-rich limestone quarries – the same bedrock shared by the greatest terroirs in Saint-Emilion. They were originally created to extract the stone required to build the historic monuments of Bordeaux. Entirely atypical and homogeneous, the terroir is a rare jewel, situated at the heart of the appellation. The soil is made up of clay, resulting from the decarbonation of asteriated limestone - the bedrock of Saint-Emilion's greatest terroirs. In the Guide about the wines of Bordeaux, Jacques Dupont says the property is one of the most interesting terroirs within the appellation area and probably one of the best around Libourne.
A strict uprooting and replanting program has been put into place. The old vines of Merlot, which fully express the terroir, have of course been preserved. From 2006 to 2012, around 4 hectares were pulled out and replaced, mainly with Cabernet Franc, a variety that is perfectly well suited to limestone soils. In 2011, 2.5 hectares were replanted with massal selected Cabernet Franc.
At present, the property is planted with Cabernet Franc (30 %) and Merlot (70 %)
