Pauillac appellation wine
Pauillac appellation wine

Pauillac Appellation

Located in the Bordeaux region between Saint-Estèphe and Saint Julien, the small port city has given its name to an appellation that sits at the heart of the Médoc vineyard and thus represents the capital of the Médoc.

Pauillac is the only communal appellation to have three first growth wines: Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Latour. With its 18 classified growths, it has a reputation that matches its terroir. Severe in their youth, these wines deserve to be waited for to be fully appreciated. After a few years of aging, sometimes several decades, they develop an extremely rich and complex bouquet, their tannins become rounder and the wines take on a fine and delicate character while maintaining great finesse.

>> Read our article: 'The Pauillac appellation and its great Châteaux'

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The Pauillac appellation area is home to 18 of the 61 Grands Crus Classés from the 1855 classification.

  

History & location of the Pauillac appellation

  

Pauillac has become one of the most famous appellations in Bordeaux, known for producing powerful and tannic red wines from noble grape varieties.

The Pauillac appellation is located in the Médoc, a world-renowned wine region on the left bank of the Gironde, in the department of Gironde, France. The town of Pauillac is about 50 kilometres northwest of Bordeaux, the regional capital.

The history of Pauillac dates back to the Middle Ages, when Cistercian monks from Vertheuil Abbey began cultivating vines in the region. However, it was in the 17th century that the Pauillac vineyard began to prosper, thanks to wealthy and influential landowners who invested in wine production.

  

What are the characteristics of the Pauillac appellation?

 

* An exceptional wine-growing area and terroir

 

The Pauillac appellation covers 1200 hectares between Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien. Although small (23 km²), it presents a wide variety of terroirs with slopes up to 30 metres along the banks of the Gironde, which gives Pauillac wines their unique character.

 

The terroir of the Pauillac appellation is marked by a wide variety of soils, ranging from gravel and pebbles on the surface to clay and limestone in depth. This diversity of soils, combined with an undulating topography, creates microclimates that influence the maturity and quality of the grapes.

 

The climate of Pauillac is oceanic and benefits from the maritime influence of the Gironde estuary. Summers are hot and sunny, winters are mild and humid, and harvests are often later than in other wine-growing regions of Bordeaux due to slower grape ripening. Overall, the Pauillac terroir is considered one of the most conducive to producing great Bordeaux red wines, thanks to its diversity of soils and moderate climate. Pauillac wines are renowned for their richness, concentration and tannic structure, as well as their ability to age well in cellars.

 

* Characterful wines, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Over the years and hundreds of vintages, the châteaux of Pauillac have gained extensive experience in showcasing their unique terroir. Although each château has its own distinct style, Pauillac wines share certain characteristic traits. They are generally described as rich, powerful and structured, with aromas of blackcurrant and cedar wood from the oak barrel ageing of Cabernet Sauvignon. Pauillac wines are considered to have the strongest tannic structure of Médoc wines, which often allows them to age well in cellars for many years.

 

In general, Pauillac wine blends contain about 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, but some classified growths may contain two-thirds or more of this variety. Other grape varieties authorised in the Pauillac appellation include Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Carmenère, Petit Verdot and Malbec. In some cases, Merlot may be the dominant grape variety in the blend.

  

The greatest Châteaux of Pauillac

  

Pauillac wines have gained international renown thanks to their remarkable quality and success in the fine wine markets. And it's no coincidence that the appellation includes:

  

Three 1st Grands Crus Classés:

- Château Lafite-Rothschild,

- Château Latour,

- Château Mouton-Rothschild

  

Two 2nd Grands Crus Classés:

- Château Pichon-Longueville Baron,

- Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

  

What are the best vintages of the Pauillac appellation?

  

The best vintages of the Pauillac appellation are: 1928, 1929, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1955, 1959, 1961, 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2009.

   

Food and wine pairings for the Pauillac appellation

 

Pauillac wines are often paired with red meat dishes, particularly beef and lamb, due to their rich tannic structure and power. Grilled, roasted or braised meats, as well as rich sauces, such as mushroom-based dishes and truffle dishes, pair very well with Pauillac wines.

 

Hard and aged cheeses, such as cheddar, parmesan and comté, are also good choices to accompany Pauillac wines. Younger wines can be paired with simpler and less fatty dishes, such as pasta with tomato sauce, pizzas and hamburgers. Rich and chocolatey desserts can also pair well with some Pauillac wines, especially those that have been aged longer and have developed cocoa and coffee aromas.

 

The Châteaux of the appellation: Château Lynch Moussas, Château d'Armailhac, Château Grand Puy Ducasse, Château Pibran, Château Haut Bages Liberal, Les Tourelles de Longueville, Château Mouton Baronne Philippe, Château Haut Bages Averous, Lacoste Borie, Château Batailley, Réserve de la Comtesse, Château Clerc Milon, Château Pontet Canet, Château Croizet Bages, Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Château Grand Puy Lacoste, Château Lynch Bages, Les Forts de Latour, Château Mouton Baron Philippe, Château Duhart Milon, Carruades de Lafite, Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, Moulin les Carruades, Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande,...

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