Obituary: Christine Valette-Pariente

Christine Valette-Pariente, co-owner of Château Troplong Mondot in Saint Emilion has died after losing her battle with cancer.

Valette-Pariente died on Saturday morning following a two year struggle with the disease.

She and her husband Xavier had run the estate since they acquired it in 1981. Under her direction the quality of the wine picked up thanks to the introduction of picking later, reduced yields and the use of new oak.

In 2006 the château was promoted to grand cru classé B status. Valette-Pariente was also responsible for opening Les Belles Perdrix, a restaurant at the château and the first of its kind in Saint Emilion if not Bordeaux as a whole.

Her death coincided with the arrival of the trade in Bordeaux for the 2013 en primeur tastings and tributes have been given by other winemakers who knew her well including Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus, Alain Reynaud, president of the Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux and consultant Michel Rolland.

Rolland in particular called her a true “grande dame” of Bordeaux and said she was “synonymous” with the property and responsible for its many successes.