Nicolas Roux, Château de Basset
Bordeaux Superior, Bordeaux, France
Château de Basset is owed to the great efforts of Nicolas Roux, also owner of the Château Coulonge. Nicolas Roux learned his craft from his father, Daniel, who in turn was taught by his father, Raymond. Raymond instilled real passion into the boys and a deep love of the land. The Roux’s principle is to make a wine in the image of its terroir – a true Bordeaux.
Château de Basset is located 50km south-east of Bordeaux, on the village of Mourens, between AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur. The 17th century farmstead nestles deep in the countryside and is solidly built out of vast blocks of limestone. It’s been owned by the family since 1804 when the Countess of Benauge ceded the land back to her tenant farmers. The vineyards drops down the hillside with swathes of vines stretching out from the door to the slopes beyond.
The Countess gave her name to the appellation under which the white wines here are produced, Haut Benauge. While Haut Benauge may still be lesser known, it certainly has a distinguished past and there are remnants scattered of it throughout the tiny, vine-clustered villages. A medieval atmosphere pervades the air and radiates from the Bastides, fortified mills and castle ruins.
The region itself sits on a vast limestone plateau and it lies directly across the Garonne River from Graves. Haut Benauge occupies high ground, and is considered one of the best grape-growing parts of this region. Drainage and exposure are excellent and its wines are long and perfumed.
Before his death in 2010 Raymond wrote a poem to his boys called ‘One day I’ll Go” where he illustrates his parting from the peaceful haven of his home, leaving the safe shelter of the shadows of its walls and the vines he's laboured over, and by his ancestors and their oxen. He writes that he has to go but that he leaves them his wine, to drink for him. And instructs that they must raise their glasses to drink to their health and to their destiny. Soulful man, soulful wine.
