In the heart of the best terroirs of the appellations of Blaye and Bourg, this family estate of 67 hectares of vines is located on hillsides of red clay and limestone, overlooking the Gironde estuary, on the right bank, facing the most prestigious Margaux’s Grands Crus. It has been in the Raimond family for three generations.

Today, attentive to reveal the potential of these wonderful terroirs while respecting the environment, Dominique Raimond, a passionate winemaker and the current owner, uses all the means to get real “Grands Vins de Bordeaux”.

Icon noun, something regarded as a representative symbol.

Wine is an icon of its place, the embodiment of dedication, passion and experience.

TERROIR

A superb clay-limestone hillsides South, South-East and South-West exposed, overlooking the Gironde estuary, the vineyard is bathed in light throughout the year and benefits from the mild temperatures of the oceanic climate.

Blend

60% Merlot

10% Malbec

10% Cabernet Sauvignon

10% Cabernet Franc

10% Petit Verdot

WINEMAKING & VINIFICATION

The natural grass is kept between the rows and the ground under the vine-plants is worked mechanically to galvanize the microbial life and push the roots to go deeper. The property is certified HEV 3rd level (High Environmental Value, the highest level of French environmental certification for farms).

The harvest picked and selected manually, is vinifined in French oak barrels specifically built for Icône. The shape and the size of the barrels – 400 liters, oval shaped vessels – allow for early integration of oak character. They also naturally regulate the temperature during the fermentation process and produce a natural pumping-over. It is the carbon dioxide, given off by the fermentation, that pushes the juice through the pomace. This allows for the extraction of only the “good” tannins – plush and velvety and keeps all the complexity of each grape variety. The ageing is made during 15 months in new barrels before the final blend and the bottling.

TASTING NOTES

The aromas are classic, quite old world, with notes of cassis, kirsch, cedar and freshly laboured ground. But the palate, however, is thoroughly modern, waves and waves of dark fruit, violets and vanilla. The finish is sophisticated, complex, plush and refined.