France: Chateau Carmes Haut-Brion buys Haut Nouchet vines

(Decanter) -  Pichet Group has continued to expand its Pessac Léognan holdings by acquiring 17 hectares of Chateau Haut Nouchet for EUR11m.

Pichet Group completed the deal in August, giving it 28 hectares of vines in Bordeaux’s Pessac Léognan, following its purchase of Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion in 2008 for EUR18m and a further 6.5 hectares of Chateau Le Thil in 2012.

Since 2008, Chateau Haut Nouchet has been owned by the Briest family, run by brothers and sister Gauthier, Thibaut and Domitille. The estate had 27 hectares of red vines and seven hectares of white.

Decanter.com understands the family will be retaining all the white vines and the remaining 12 hectares of red, as well as the brand name Chateau Haut Nouchet.

‘Both the vines from Le Thil and the new vines that we have bought will combine to make Le Clos de Carmes Haut-Brion,’ Guillaume Pouthier, who will expand his role to be director of the new entity, told decanter.com.

‘Until now, this wine was made in certain vintages only, but we will produce it each year. It is not exactly a second wine, but a standalone label.’

Following the 2013 harvest, Haut Nouchet vines will be uprooted and replanted to 10,000 vines per hectare over the next three years, and a new vinification and barrel cellar built on the site.