Family-owned since 1896, Château du Taillan, just outside Bordeaux, combines tradition and modernity. In the heart of the Médoc, the five sisters of the Cruse family now run the Château. Each with her own personality, they perpetuate the history of the estate and keep the family passion for winegrowing alive. Thanks to this feminine touch, Château du Taillan has been able to renew itself through sustainable agriculture and a growing wine tourism activity. The château’s wines are full-bodied, powerful and steeped in the history of its owners.

The vineyard

A hundred-hectare park shelters the 18th-century château of grandiose classicism. Surrounded by century-old trees, the château’s terrace is topped by a magnificent pink marble altarpiece. The vineyard’s dreamy, pastoral setting is ideal for a stroll.

The underground cellars, the château and its altarpiece are classified as French Historic Monuments, making this a visit not to be missed!

Unrivalled expertise

The Cruse sisters’ motto emphasizes the constant quest for quality: “from the pruning of the vines to bottling, we are focused on the quality of the wines”.

Expert hands take meticulous care of the vines: pruning, bending, lifting, de-budding, leaf removal and a harvesting plan adapted to each plot.

The aim is to achieve the ideal ripeness of the grapes, silky tannins and harmonious fruitiness to find the perfect balance for each vintage. The wine is then aged in the château’s underground cellars, in the Médoc tradition, in French Merrain oak barrels for around 12 months.

The wine thus acquires a better aptitude for bottle ageing.

On the château’s 30 hectares of vines, on a terroir of small gravels and clay-limestone, Merlot, Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc are grown.

The character and power of Château du Taillan wines come from a perfect mastery of varietal blends.

In 1932, the vineyard was awarded Cru Bourgeois status for the first time: the machine was set in motion…

In 2003, Château du Taillan became one of only 14 Médoc estates to be awarded the Cru Bourgeois Supérieur label, out of nearly 400 candidates.

That same year, the five Cruse sisters officially opened the estate to visitors, becoming pioneers of Bordeaux wine tourism.

In 2020, the estate was classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, the highest level of the Crus Bourgeois classification and a token of recognition for the quality of the estate’s wines and its commitment to environmental protection. This award confirms a reputation acquired after more than 25 years of hard work and rigor.

A feminine story

In 1896, Henri Cruse acquired the Domaine du Taillan to make it his home and plant a few vines.

The estate was then managed by his son, Jean Cruse, who left the vineyard to his own son Henri-François Cruse.

In 1992, Henri-François’ five daughters naturally took charge of the estate’s future, representing the fourth generation of winemakers. The Cruse sisters grew up at the château, and the estate’s vineyards hold no secrets for them. The Château story now continues with a women’s version.

Environmental commitment

In 2018, the château team’s efforts to preserve biodiversity and its responsible, environmentally-friendly approach were rewarded: the vineyard was awarded level 3 High Environmental Value (HVE) certification, the highest level. The estate’s park, located in a Natura 2000 zone, is home to protected species and numerous animals and plant varieties.

The team favors the most natural methods and manages the use of fertilizers and phytosanitary products on a daily basis. This commitment translates into optimal management of winegrowing effluents, water and electricity consumption, waste recycling and good working conditions.

Château du Taillan wines

Each vintage is a new challenge and an opportunity to achieve excellence, with quality as our guiding principle.

Château du Taillan produces 4 cuvées each year:

La cuvée Château du TaillanThis exceptional Cru Bourgeois, meticulously crafted, is the pride of the estate. It is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, giving it an elegant, harmonious bouquet and fine, silky tannins. On the palate, pronounced aromas of black fruit and liquorice.

The cuvée La Dame BlancheA Médoc Blanc whose name comes from the Château de la Dame Blanche nickname given to the château in reference to the legend of Princess Bianca. The daughter of a Moorish chieftain who settled in Macau, she would have been seduced by the charm of the place… and perhaps by a prince from Aquitaine. Bianca, nicknamed the White Lady, decided to settle there. Today, when a white veil settles over the vineyard in autumn, it is said that the princess has come to wish the estate prosperity. Cuvée La Dame Blanche is made from a single varietal of Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of exotic fruit and citrus. This is a dry wine, aged entirely in vats to preserve the fruitiness of the grape variety, and distinguished by its freshness.

Cuvée Dame Blanche is also available in Haut-Médoc Red. Fruity, round, fresh and crisp, with lively tannins. It is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Le Rosé du Taillanalso under the Haut-Médoc appellation, is composed of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is aged entirely in vats to preserve its freshness and fruitiness. With its English candy aromas, it’s perfect for summer.