Chateau St. Lo

In 1199, the king of England, John Lackland, signed a charter at Falaise giving Saint-Emilion its communal freedom. For six centuries, the charter governed the jurades, which was a working "municipal council" for Saint-Emilion. The jurats were simultaneously magistrates, administrators, tax collectors and distributors of public funds. But it was in the wine-growing domain that the actions of the jurade were most significant and long lasting. By virtue of their office, the jurats would proclaim the annual start of the grape harvest (le ban des vendanges). As soon as the wine was removed from the fermentation vats, they would visit the cellars; the Grand Vinetier (Grand Wine Master) would brand the casks of good wine; the wine judge to be unworthy was destroyed. Not one barrel was dispatched to a customer without being checked by the jurade. The French Revolution of 1789 put an end to these practices. Nevertheless, thanks to the clear-sightedness and vigilance of the owners of the grand crus, quality was maintained. By the 20th century however, a return to legislation became necessary. The law relating to appellations d'origine controlee had beneficial effects, but no law could replace an inspection that was freely accepted and administered by one's wine growing peers. Therefore after the Second World War, a number of producers decided to resurrect the jurade and to proclaim their adhesion to its noble traditions; on Sept. 16, 1948 the jurade was reborn. Since 1954, all Saint-Emilion wines without exception have been submitted to quality inspection by a tasting panel, under the authority of the INAO (Institut National des Appellation d'Origine). Today the jurade is composed of 40 members. They wear a red robe and a hat decorated with ermine. Solemn torch-lit chapters are held in the famous monolithic church dug from the rock at the occasion of the spring festival and the grape harvest; it is then that the jurats proclaim the ban des vendanges from the top of the Tour de Roi (the King's Tower). Here in the Libourne area of Bordeaux, steeped in historic tradition, lies the Chateau Saint-Lo's family estate whose Renaissance cellars date back to the XVIth century. The first vineyards were planted in that period, perhaps by a Norman gentleman. Today the estate stretches over five historical communes entitled to Saint-Emilion appellation ever since a decree was issued by King Edward Ist in the XIIIth century. The diversity of regional soils explains the wealth and complexity of the Chateau Saint-Lo's wines. They are particularly varied with a clayey-limestone predominance. In 1990 a Thai and his French wife purchased the property which had fallen into disrepair and lost its Grand Cru during 1986-1991. Pathom and his wife Martine invested three million dollars to restore the 16th century chateau and vineyards, winning back the Grand Cru Appellation in 1992.

Chateau St. Lo St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe

St.-Emilion Grand Cru
The Thai label is pictured above. The vines of the Merlot grapes varietal, characteristic of the Saint-Emillion wines, are cultivated traditionally, without the use of chemicals and the grapes are hand harvested and sorted. This beautiful ruby-red wine is barrel-aged and has a fine expressive bouquet with an aroma of cherries & black currants and nuances of wood. It has a powerful structure & cellars well for aging. A fine compliment to all red meats, game, and cheeses. Serve at room temperature.