As one of the world’s most renowned wine-growing regions, the Bordeaux area boasts a number of communes whose names alone make wine lovers’ eyes sparkle. The official classification of Bordeaux wines, established in 1855 at the behest of Napoleon III, has established the reputation of communes such as Pauillac and its prestigious châteaux.

Pauillac, a renowned vineyard

Located some forty kilometers north of Bordeaux, the Pauillac AOC, created in 1936 and comprising 18 of the 60 Médoc crus classés, extends over 1,250 hectares around Pauillac.

Benefiting from a temperate oceanic climate, the vines are planted on two plateaus separated by the Gahet stream. In these favorable conditions for viticulture, the three emblematic Bordeaux grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot) produce exceptional wines. According to the 1855 classification, three wines with evocative châteaux names, classified as premiers crus, stand out for their quality.

Discover some of Pauillac’s most prestigious Châteaux.

Château Lafite Rothschild

The story of Château Lafite Rothschild really began in 1680. Jacques de Ségur plants the vineyard and establishes Lafite’s reputation. After several years of growing success, Baron James de Rothschild bought the château in 1868. Today, 114 hectares of vines are grown, 71% of which are Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 18 to 20 months in oak barrels, nearly 100,000 bottles are sold each year. Some vintages, such as 1986 and 2010, have been awarded the exceptional 100/100 rating by Robert Parker. Bottles of Château Lafite Rothschild are selling at a premium, as evidenced by a bottle of the 2000 vintage, which sold for €2,305.

Château Latour

The history of Châteaux Lafite Rothschild and Latour revolves around the de Ségur family. Alexandre and then Nicolas-Alexandre, his son (nicknamed “Prince of the Vines” by Louis XV), each left their mark on the Château’s winegrowing history. The construction of a new winery between 1862 and 1864 illustrates the fame and success of Latour wines. Planted on 90 hectares, including 47 in the “Enclos” around the Château producing the Grand Vin, the vineyard is the first of the Grands Crus Classés to have obtained organic certification in 2018. Around 200,000 exceptional bottles are produced each year, and like any self-respecting premier cru, some vintages have been awarded 100/100 by Robert Parker. This is the case, for example, of the 1961, 2003 and 2009 vintages.

Château Mouton Rothschild

First classified as a second growth in 1855, Château Mouton Rothschild became a first growth in the 1973 revision, giving rise to its famous motto: “First I am, second I was, Mouton never changes”. The 91 hectares (planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon) allow the Château to practice an unusual vinification, leaving the wines in vats after fermentation for extra body. Château Mouton Rothschild is particularly famous for its labels, created each year by a different artist (Chagall or Miro, for example). Finally, in addition to Robert Parker’s 100/100 for 1959 or 2016, the 1945 vintage became the most expensive wine in the world in 2006 at an auction, when 12 bottles of Pauillac made a lucky buyer for the modest sum of $290,000.