In 1979 Jean-Claude Berrouet was already one of the most esteemed young winemakers in Bordeaux. For the previous 15 years he had been the head winemaker for Jean-Pierre Moueix, working closely with JP's son, Christian,... Read More

In 1979 Jean-Claude Berrouet was already one of the most esteemed young winemakers in Bordeaux. For the previous 15 years he had been the head winemaker for Jean-Pierre Moueix, working closely with JP's son, Christian, at Napa Valley’s Dominus, and the famous Bordeaux Chateaux of Magdaleine, Trotanoy and, of course, Petrus. This success enabled him to purchase a small Chateau and about 6 hectares of vineyards in nearby Montagne-Saint-Emilion, known as Vieux Château Saint-André.

Fast forward 40 years and Jean-Claude is not just a well known winemaker, he is widely considered one of the best winemakers in France and is especially famous as a “Master of Merlot.” Jean-Claude’s style has always emphasized elegance and balance, focusing on the texture and minerality of Merlot. He uses new oak more judiciously than his neighbors. In many ways he is the counterpoint to the rich, extracted style of his peer Michel Rolland.

This focus is evident in the famous wine that he made until his retirement in 2007. Dominus from the early and mid ‘80’s are some of California’s best wines ever. And the current value of the wines he made on the right bank of Bordeaux speak for themselves. Petrus competes for the title of world’s best wine.

But like any good vigneron, Jean-Claude hasn't fully retired. He has been consulting winemaker at Twomey, Silver Oak's Merlot label, and he has been well known among wine geeks as the owner of Herri Mina, a small but excellent estate in the Basque region where his family is from. And of course he continues to make the wine alongside his son at their home estate in Montagne-Saint-Emilion.