The Pauillac appellation and its great Châteaux

Pauillac has a unique terroir, soils sculpted by the waters of the Garonne. The soils are generally made up of gravel, large pebbles that allow the soil to drain. The gravel also keeps the soil cool during the day and restores the heat to the vines at night.

Châteaux that produce their wine in the Pauillac appellation cultivate several grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon is the majority, supplemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

These berries mark the wines with aromas of blackcurrant, morello cherries, often associated with vanilla and woodiness inherited from aging in barrels.

• Château Mouton Rothschild

• Château Lafite Rothschild

• Château Pichon Longueville Baron

• Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

• Château Latour

• Château Léoville Las Cases

• Château Léoville Poyferré

• Château Lynch Bages

• Château Lynch Moussas

• Château Grand Puy Ducasse

• Château Grand Puy Lacoste

• Château Pontet Canet

Château Pichon Longueville Baron 2009

Rated 98/100 by Jeff Leve – The Wine Cellar Insider

With its somewhat striking color, this wine combines power, concentration, supple texture, density, complexity and opulence. Not a typical vintage for Pichon Baron. But who cares? Typicity is overrated. Sensual and seductive on the palate, the wine is long, creamy, rich and shows real persistence on the palate and in the lingering finish. This is one of Jean René Matignon’s finest vintages.

Château Lynch Bages 1988

Rated 96/100 by Adrian van Velsen – vvWine

Dense ruby, still little hint of ageing. Deep, fresh nose, very noble, dark fruit, burnt wood, very complex, multi-layered, ripe plums, also herbs, a poem. The palate is taut, straight, dense and concentrated, the fruit is still very much present, the tannins are already well integrated, there’s a lot of pressure and traction, energy and harmony at its best. The finish is very long. Bordeaux at its best!

Château Mouton Rothschild 1982

Rated 100/100 by Robert PARKER – The Wine Advocate

The 1982 Mouton Rothschild is drinking brilliantly today, rising from the glass with aromas of cassis, dark berries, charcoal, pencil shavings, espresso roast and loamy soil. Full-bodied, ample and enveloping, this is a layered, sumptuous wine that is remarkably seamless and complete, with impressive concentration, ripe but lively acids and fine, melting tannins. Long and resonant, this is a great wine that can keep company with Mouton’s 1961, 1959 and 1955.