A VILLAGE STEEPED IN FAMILY HISTORY
The estate has been in the same family since time immemorial and has always been handed down by women. The current owner, Jean-Hubert Delon, inherited the estate from his paternal grandmother, Georgette Liquard. Although close to the river, Potensac is situated on a high point of land in North Medoc. Because of this position, the site has been populated since ancient times. The name "Medoc" in fact comes from "medio aquae" which means "in the middle of the waters"… Planted on the best quality soils in the Ordonnac district, the vineyards now extend over 84 hectares on a terroir where the typical characteristics of each grape variety express themselves very distinctly and give the wine superb ageing potential. A TERROIR SYNONYMOUS WITH LONGEVITY
Château Potensac's vineyards extend mainly over hilly mounds with a limestone subsoil covered with clay and gravel outcrops containing a high proportion of gravel ("graves"). These limestone soils are very similar to those found in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. On this very special terroir, some plots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc planted over 80 years ago still produce perfectly ripe, healthy grapes. The hamlet of Potensac was already cited in the first edition of Féret for the special characteristics and longevity of its wines. The estate's Grand Vin's vineyards are located west of Ordonnac village. Its rows of vines grow on a double thalweg of gravelly-clay. They produce a very fi ne wine with tight texture, great richness and wonderful freshness. On the palate, the wine is pure and powerful, the tannins dense and spicy, and the finish of great depth with glorious aromas. Because of these qualities, Château Potensac is often considered to represent the "pure Medoc style". It should be noted that Potensac was the only "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" of its appellation. Chapelle de Potensac was created and fi rst sold by Jean-Hubert Delon with the 2002 vintage. This elegant, traditionally made second wine possesses beautiful balance founded on smoothness and freshness. Its terroir of fi ne gravel and clay sands can be found in various parts of Potensac's historical terroir, on the edge of the village. The Chapel, reproduced on the bottle's packaging, stands in the centre of the hamlet. It is characterized by the absence of its neo-Gothic tower.
