Cracking Claret, a Seasonal Favourite from Château Argadens

Finding good value in the red wines of Bordeaux is becoming more and more of a challenge these days, demand is up and harvests are down, but it is still there, if you know where to look!

This example comes from the Sichel family who’s roots in Bordeaux go back 140 years. What started as a simple buying office in Bordeaux in 1883, has become a truly international operation. Originally of British origin, the family is now firmly rooted in the history of Bordeaux, owning and producing some of the world’s most prestigious wine, including the renowned Chateau Palmer that was purchased in 1938.

In 2002, Maison Sichel bought a property in Saint-André-du-Bois 60 km south of Bordeaux and renamed it Château Argadens in reference to the noble family which founded the estate in the thirteenth century.

A major investment programme was launched at Château Argadens to restructure the vineyard, increase plantation density, modernise the winery and build an ageing cellar. Efforts are going on to ensure that this work is carried out with the greatest precision and care, the objective being to allow the quality of the terroir to be expressed to the full.

The very first vintage of Château d'Argadens won a medal in the Concours des Grands Vins de France in Mâcon. It wins numerous awards and distinctions every year, proof of Maison Sichel's clear determination to earn Château d’Argadens a place among the best wines in its appellation of Bordeaux Supérieur.