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Château d’Arricaud
Château d’Arricaud sits in the heart of the Graves region. Its two centuries of winegrowing history make it a benchmark, allowing visitors to see and taste all the richness of its past. Committed to respecting its heritage, the estate offers visitors wines that reflect their terroir and the know-how of the little hands who work to ensure its success.
An estate steeped in history and noble values
Centuries old, the Château d’Arricaud estate was created in the 18th century by Count Joachim de Chalup, an influential man in the Bordeaux region at the time. It is to him that we owe the current appearance of the property, which has been enlarged and modernized over the ensuing decades. The Bouyx family, who have been running the estate for three generations, continue to pursue this quest for quality and excellence through the enhancement and development of the estate. Isabelle Bouyx and her team perpetuate Joachim de Chalup’s ideals through noble values. Indeed, respect for the vineyard’s environment is paramount, and through its High Environmental Value (HVE) certification, Château d’Arricaud is committed to respecting the soils in which its crops grow, preserving the surrounding biodiversity, which only encourages optimal vine development, and implementing healthy practices for both the winemaker and his neighbors.
A terroir worthy of the greatest names in wine
Spread over 23 hectares in a single block, the Château d’Arricaud estate benefits from the diversity of its soils, which are carefully cultivated to guarantee fruit ripeness. Each plot is studied geologically and the grape varieties are planted so that each variety is best suited to its soil. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot are found in the upper part of the estate, where clay gravel reigns, while Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle flourish at the bottom of the slope on clay-limestone soils. The climate, combined with geology and the expertise of our teams, ensures optimal ripening of the grapes. In fact, the experts apply time-honored methods that have proved their worth and continue to delight oenologists today, thanks to their relevance.
Subtle, expressive cuvées
Every year, Château d’Arricaud gives birth to great wines, apprehended differently according to the vintage and its specificities. Vinified from Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle grapes, Graves Supérieur surprises with its powerful nose and notes of apricot and honey, despite its dry character. Château d’Arricaud Blanc Sec is more marked by citrus notes, but remains aromatically intense. Its red counterpart reveals fruity, spicy notes with full-bodied tannins found in the house’s grand vin rouge in a more voluminous form. The nose is powerful and complex, with aromas of red fruit and vanilla due to the cuvée’s light wood ageing.
The château’s wines have good ageing potential, ranging from 15 years for the Grand Vin and the Graves Supérieurs, to 10 years for the Réserve du Comte and 8 years for the dry white.
What’s more, these cuvées are ideal for high-quality food and wine pairings. A duck breast, for example, could be paired with the Réserve du Comte 2016 (with its frank, spicy fruitiness). A salmon tartare will magnify the 2019 dry white, which stands out for its lemony, citrus peel and herbaceous notes.
