Château Preuillac: Celebrating its promotion to Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

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Celebrating its promotion to Cru Bourgeois Supérieur with a state of the art winery...

Château Preuillac, with a history that dates back to 1869, sits the heart of AOC Médoc. This is where the peninsula narrows towards the Pointe du Grave and the sky takes on the luminescence of the Atlantic ocean. The location benefits from the softening effects of the Gironde Estuary, guarding against frost and allowing for long slow ripening.

The soils here are largely clay-limestone, offering exceptional aromatics and fruit alongside the Médoc tannins that ensures its wines age well into their second decade. This is also a location that allows the Merlot grape to be dominant in the vineyard at 54% of overall plantings, alongside 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The personality of the Merlot makes this wine stand out from many of its neighbours with its rich, supple red fruits and cements Preuillac’s reputation as one of the best value and quality wines of the Médoc.

A Cru Bourgeois property since its first ranking in 1932, the most recent classification in March 2020 saw Preuillac recognised as Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, one of just 56 châteaux out of a total of 249 in the ranking. It was a reward for careful and steady investment since the arrival of SAS Vin Plus in 2014, only the fourth owner in the estate’s 160 year history, building on the successful tenure of Dutch distilling magnate Cees Dirkzwager and Bordelais merchant Jean-Christophe Mau.

The classic lines of Preuillac’s 19th century château building, and graceful 2ha of parkland stand in contrast to the sleek modern winery that has just opened here. Its stunning front door makes a statement as soon as you arrive. Overseen by architect Olivier Chadebost, who was responsible for the wineries of Châteaux d’Yquem in Sauternes, Cheval Blanc in Saint Emilion and Plain-Point in Fronsac, the door’s concentric circles of carved oak, glass and polished brass represent the search for perfection.

The cellars are now entirely gravity-flow, with 14 differently-sized new oak casks ranging from 140hl to 180hl. These ensure each plot of grapes from its 28 hectares of vines can be vinified separately, according to their age or soil type. The vats have been built by local cooper Nadalié, continuing the focus on sustainability that governs all the choices at the property. A stunning tasting room is ready to receive year round visitors.

Chadebost is part of a team that is determined to make Preuillac an exemplary Cru Bourgeois. Technical director Nathalie Billard has been with the château for 10 years, and brings a passion and expertise that ensures the wine delivers across multiple vintages. Celebrated wine consultant, Stéphane Derenoncourt, is renowned for his careful vineyard-first approach, helping to secure an environmental certification HVE3 as of 2018, as are terroir consultants Lydia and Claude Bourguignon. Renowned names that ensure this Cru Bourgeois Supérieur is one to watch.

Visit the estate's official website for more information.