THE ORIGIN In 2005, a group of good friends with a passionate love - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

THE ORIGIN In 2005, a group of good friends with a passionate love of wine joined Didier Miqueu and Stephan von Neipperg in pursuit of a goal: to acquire great, “forgotten” terroirs throughout the Bordeaux region and provide them with the means and time necessary to create exceptional wines. They spent time studying and searching for Bordeaux’s fj nest terroirs, often in overlooked appellations; fj nally they found the most favorable conditions around Saint-Emilion—soils and vines worthy of the fj nest classed growths, whose fabulous potential only needed to be revealed. In 2005 the group acquired Château Soleil, a renowned property of some 20 hectares situated on the greatest terroirs of Puisseguin that was always considered one of the appellation’s fj nest estates, and undertook major investments in both vineyard and cellars to bring out the terroir’s full, magnifj cent potential. Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

THE AMBITION The objective at these two domains is to establish their reputations at the level of the region’s fj nest growths. If nothing else, their exceptional locations on Saint-Emilion’s fj nest terroirs justifj es this ambition. The properties were chosen with care, with precise criteria tied to their terroirs: the parcels are situated on plateaux composed of clay with “starfj sh limestone” . A thin layer of gravel and clay covers a deep limestone base so rainwater is absorbed by the bedrock and then released during dry periods to nourish the vines by capillary action. This steady, optimal dosage of water helps vines produce fully mature grapes: around Saint-Emilion almost two-thirds of the Premier Crus Classés, such as Ausone, Canon, Clos Fourtet, Pavie and Troplong-Mondot, benefj t from this same geology. Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

THE AMBITION The aim under Stephan von Neipperg’s direction is to produce wines of excellent quality which refm ect their terroir’s character: - Vineyards have been completely renewed, - A modern vat house has been built, - Cellars have been totally renovated, - Methods for vine growing, vinifj cation, aging and assemblage are worthy of a classed growth—it is the same philosophy, the same care, the same approach and th?e same techniques employed at Canon La Gafg elière The ambition for Château Soleil and Rival is to create strong brands known for their quality, their terroir and their technical expertise. Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

AN AGRICULTURAL PHILOSOPHY RESPECTING NATURE Viticulture at both domains is based on a respect for the terroir and the vines : - The vineyards have been completely renewed through new planting, and replanting of vines with quality rootstock adapted to the terroir (Riparia Gloire, Fercal); - The use of herbicides and chemical products is forbidden; - Natural vegetation between vine rows is encouraged and the soil is worked mechanically; - Yields are closely controlled: each vine produces no more than ten bunches so grapes reach optimal maturity; - Harvesting is by hand using small-volume crates, with careful selection at three intervals: at picking, before destemming, and berry by berry on sorting tables. Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

THE VINIFICATION At Château Soleil Stephan von Neipperg employs a dynamic team of professionals to produce wine with great care and fj nesse at both domains. Cellar work is a marriage of tradition and modernity : - Gentle vinifj cations: neither pumping nor crushing is used in bringing grapes to the vats; fermentation starts naturally using native yeasts; vinifj cation and extraction is based on repeated tastings - Parcel selection calls for small-volume, concrete, temperature-controlled vats, with pneumatic punching down of the cap in each one... - Malolactic fermentation is made in new French-oak barrels, followed by 18 to 24 months of aging on fj ne lees... The result is a full expression of terroir while respecting the grapes’ individual quality: winemaking technique at the service of tradition to bring precision, control and consistency to each vintage. Use of small-sized cubic vats achieves a perfect balance between the wine’s volume and the grapes’ surface area for an optimal exchange among skins, seeds and juice. Bare concrete is preferred over stainless steel mainly for its thermal inertia, an important factor in controlling temperatures during alcoholic fermentation. The vats have wide openings on top to enable punching down of the skins and seeds to delicately suspend them in the juice for better extraction of color and tannins; this Burgundian technique is more gentle and precise than pumping over the juice as is usually done in Bordeaux. Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

LET THE TERROIR EXPRESS ITSELF Château Soleil is produced like a great classed growth: carefully controlled yields, parcels individually picked and vinifj ed with the greatest care, and only after aging are the best batches are selected for the main wine ; This main wine is complemented by a second called Promesse, to assure that each vintage achieves the highest level of excellence. Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

THE ATTRIBUTES OF CHÂTEAU SOLEIL VALEURS DE MARQUE ATTRIBUTS Terroirs - Plantings - Controlled yields Quality Standards and methods of vinifj cation worthy of the fj nest classed growths Know-how—Tradition Authenticity / Commitment Respect for the vine and terroir Dedication to quality winemaking for the best expression of terroir The quality of a classed growth Stephan von Neipperg’s experience and knowledge of terroir Ambition Top-quality equipment and talented personnel at every stage of production The confj dence and consistency capable of achieving excellence A limited production Uniqueness/Rarity Distribution through carefully chosen partners A luxury image Distinctiveness A refj ned style Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

CHÂTEAU SOLEIL The renaissance of a great wine: the tradition and history of a generations-old vineyard given new life in the quest for perfect quality. A great wine which possesses all the features expected of the fj nest, modern Saint-Emilions: generosity and character, elegance and power. A charming wine that is enjoyable in its youth, ready to accompany a meal with ease. An emotional experience to be discovered and shared: an original wine whose appellation character is refj ned by the constant aim of perfectly expressing its terroir. Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr

CHÂTEAU SOLEIL : MEDALS Château Soleil 2008 Concours de BORDEAUX - 2011 OR / GOLD Coup de cœur dégustation Wuhan Sélection Mondiale des Vins CANADA - 2011 OR/ GOLD Concours des Meilleurs Vins Français aux USA - MIAMI 2011 ARGENT / SILVER AWC VIENNA Int’l Wine Challenge - 2010 ARGENT / SILVER Château Soleil 2009 AWC VIENNA Int’l Wine Challenge - 2011 OR/ GOLD Concours des Meilleurs Vins Français aux USA - MIAMI 2011 BRONZE Concours des Vins de Lyon 2012 OR / GOLD

CHÂTEAU SOLEIL : PRESS Château Soleil 2005 « This lower pedigree wine represents undeniable quality/value rapport … so deep in quality among the better run, less heralded estates, that these wines should appeal to readers looking for terrifj c values from Bordeaux.» (89-91) Robert Parker 2007 Château Soleil 2006 « Shows good ripe fruit, with chocolate and berry charcacter. Medium- to full-bodied, with fj ne tannins and a long fj nish. Well done. » WINE SPECTATOR - (85-88) James Suckling 2008 Château Soleil 2007 « Aromatic and very pretty on the nose, with plum and cherry. Medium-bodied, with balance of fj ne tannins and a fresh fj nish. » WINE SPECTATOR - (84-88) James Suckling 2008 Château Soleil 2009 « The regular cuvee from the satellite village of Puisseguin, St Emillion, (...). It exhibits en up-front, soft, silky style, medium body, plenty of delicious red and black fruit, and an uncomplicated, generous, savory style. Two new wines for me, Stefan von Neippeerg is the force behind both of these estates .» (87-88) Robert Parker 2010 Château Soleil 2009 « Cofg ee and dried fruits that turn to prune on the nose. Full-bodied, with loads of tannins that are a little overextracted. But should come out very good. » (88-91) James Suckling 2010 Château Soleil 2010 « Avec des arômes de fruits noirs expressifs et son volume ample, gourmand et charnu, c’est un vin immédiatement séduisant qui s’appuie sur une belle trame tannique mais aussi une attaque non dénuée de tendresse.» 16/20 Bettane & Dessauve n°70 - 2011 Château Soleil - BP 34 - 33 330 Saint Emilion www.chateausoleil.fr