Like all the greatest wines of the appellation, Château Pédesclaux has the complexity that reflects the terroir it springs from. On this mosaic of soils, the clays convey power while the gravels express pure elegance. Pédesclaux embodies the depth that is the quintessence of Pauillac, balanced by a unique sensuality With each vintage, the painstaking work on these excellent plots pays off, while the revolutionary equipment in the winery enables the wine to develop its own unique personality. Across the years, a narrative arc has become visible: a scent special to this terroir that is a blend of blackcurrant, violet and cigar box. Sometimes denser and more tropical, at other times more ethereal, always maintaining the balance between powerful aromas and the silky delicacy of the tannins, Château Pédesclaux also boasts a formidable cellaring potential – another key feature of the great Pauillac terroirs.
Château Phélan-Ségur is a St Estèphe property that produces textbook meaty, solid and long-lived St Estèphe. Founded by Irishman Bernard O’Phelan, the estate was developed by his son, Frank, and renamed Phélan Ségur in the early 20th century. It was bought by Xavier Gardinier in 1985 and run by his sons, Thierry and Laurent until 2018, when Philippe Van de Vyvere bought the property.
2017, the first vintage under the new ownership, was marked by the episode of spring frost in the Bordeaux vineyards which spared these vineyards. It is a wine characterized by the high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) and the integration of Cabernet Franc in its blend.
Pibran is an old Médoc name. Its highly reputed vineyard covers one of the finest outcrops of Pauillac. The estate, which originally had only just 10 hectares, was expanded in 2001 following the purchase of neighbouring property to reach the current size of 17 hectares of superb Garonne gravel soil. For a long time it belonged to the Billa family, who sold it to AXA Millésimes in 1987. The vineyards were restructured shortly after the purchase, and drainage was improved in order to get the best possible effect of the soil on the wine. Today Château Pibran is carefully produced by the same technical team that makes Château Pichon Baron and then moved in barrel, for aging in the cellars of Pibran.
The property owes its name to the illustrious owner who lived there in the 19th century. Mr. Emilien Piganeau taught plastic arts at the Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux, and was a municipal councilor in St-Emilion for 3 terms. Coming from a family of Bordeaux bankers, he was passionate about drawing, painting, but also archaeology, history and poetry. The property was acquired by the Bruno family in 1978.
The vineyard is located in the Pierrefitte menhir area, near the Dordogne River and the old port of Saint-Emilion.
Sustainable agriculture, HVE (High Environmental Value) Certification. Stop using herbicides since 2018.
Classified as Cru Bourgeois since 1932 and in a constant quest for excellence, Château Plagnac combines respect for the terroir, tradition and cutting-edge innovation. The three towers of Plagnac, traces of the past of this site, guard the entrance to the prestigious building and give this place nobility and character.
Château Plagnac perfectly embodies the Médoc with the power, vigorous tannins and finesse of its clay-limestone terroir.
5th Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac, Château Pontet-Canet has experienced an irresistible rise which has made it one of the most emblematic brands of the Médoc. Led by Justine and Alfred Tesseron, Château Pontet-Canet has established itself as one of the finest references on the left bank of Bordeaux.
The 2017 vintage was marked by an episode of frost at the end of April, which had little impact on the vineyard due to the protective influence of the Gironde estuary. The growing cycle took place under favorable climatic conditions, including flowering in mid-May and veraison at the beginning of July. Despite some rain during September, the health condition is perfect and the grapes harvested at full maturity are of high quality.
5th Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac, Château Pontet-Canet has experienced an irresistible rise which has made it one of the most emblematic brands of the Médoc. Led by Justine and Alfred Tesseron, Château Pontet-Canet has established itself as one of the finest references on the left bank of Bordeaux.
In this vintage, Pontet-Canet shows once again that natural refinement is its finest jewel. 2019, without doubt, is a promise of voluptuousness for all wine lovers.
The Château Pontet-Fumet is located near the village of Vignonet in the well-known wine-growing region of Saint-Émillion.
It is one of the outstanding Grand Crus in Saint-Émillion, where the soils of the vineyards are characterized by sandy gravel soils.
Château Prieuré-Lichine’s history is an amazing mix of different eras and styles. From the Roman origins of the property to its rebirth under the Ballande group, 500 years of historic figures and events at this estate have combined to forge its special spirit, perfectly embodied by the Pope of Wine, Alexis Lichine.
Voluptuous and classic, the Grand Cru Classé of Château Prieuré-Lichine fully expresses the fine characteristics of its terroir with the elegance, subtely and breeding of great Margaux wines.
The year 2017 will long remain in our collective memory in Bordeaux, because of the devastating spring frosts that ocurred over the last ten days of April. It is in these difficult years that the Great Margaux Terroirs shine through and demonstrate their ability to moutain the quality potential of a vintage in spite of the vagaries of the weather.
For more info, visit Château Prieuré-Lichinewebsite.
VARIETALS
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Situated between Saint Estephe and Pauillac, overlooking the first classified growths of Medoc, the Château Puy Castéra can claim one of the most prestigious wine neighborhoods in the world. This domaine of 18 hectares has a terroir of exception which provide to the wine complexity and elegance.
The name of this Château dates back to ancient times, meaning “fortress on a hill”. It is also notable for having once belonged to one of the biggest names in viticulture: Henri Marès, the man who discovered how to combat powdery mildew.
VARIETALS
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot
The Château Quinault l’Enclos property is located on the right bank of Bordeaux in the Saint-Émilion appellation. Belonging to the famous Château Cheval Blanc, the first classified A growth of Saint-Émilion, the wines of Château Quinault l’Enclos benefit from the same care as those of Château Cheval Blanc.
A vintage of challenges marked by strong climatic contrasts, 2018 will remain a great year in the memories of the property. The heavy rainfall at the start of the year will have generated significant mildew pressure. The precision and constant attention paid by the property’s technical teams made it possible to save Château Quinault L’Enclos from mildew. The beautiful summer which set in in July with an ideal September favored perfect ripening with berries with good concentration.
VARIETALS
72% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc
Originally from Schönberg, in the Rhineland, fleeing the consequences of the defeat of Napoleon I, the Yung family origins settled for more than a century in Algeria. Already listed in the first edition of Féret des Vins d’Oranie in 1886, the family developed its vineyard until independence, until forced to abandon the wine estates it had owned since 1859.
In 1862 Charles Young joined his older brother, already settled in Gironde. He then decides to acquire for his 2 children and his 2 nephews, the Château Haut Mondain, a 42-hectare AOC Bordeaux wine estate, followed then by Château Barail, Les Hauts de Palette and Moulin de Tassin.
Since 2020, the Charles Yung & Fils vineyards have been committed to a societal and environmental approach by obtaining High Environmental Value (HVE), level 3 certification.
Comte Joseph Marie de Ségur, the Lord of Cabanac, purchased and created this 7.5-ha estate, which still bears his name “Ségur de Cabanac.” Guy Delon, 7th generation of winegrowers in Bordeaux, took over the property in 1985. Today he continues to manage the estate with his son JF Delon and his daughter Guylène. They also own another Cru Bourgeois, Château Moulin de la Rose in Saint-Julien.
The parcels of this property are situated on the eastern part of Saint-Estephe. The vineyards, composed of gravel, are facing the estuary of the Gironde.
For more info, visit Château Segur de Cabanacwebsite.
The Meyre family, Médoc winegrowers for 6 generations, have been able to extend and perpetuate the family business. Julien and Nathalie, now in charge of the properties and drawing on their respective experiences, bring dynamism and renewal.
Château Sorbey in Haut Médoc is the smallest of Mayre’s properties, producing ample and fruity wines with harmonious tannins, everything that makes the reputation of Haut Médoc wines.
VARIETALS
52% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot
Vignobles Jean Sorge are home to the cru bourgeois Château Deyrem-Valentin and its little sister, Château Soussans. The estates nestle between two grands crus classés and date back to 1730. Christelle Sorge is now in charge and she continues on a path of tradition married with innovation to provide wines of ever increasing quality to lovers of Margaux everywhere.
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