Château Caillou
シャトー・カイユ
Barsac's 1855 Second Growth: honeyed stone fruit with refreshing acidity
Château Caillou is a Deuxième Cru Classé (Second Growth) estate in the 1855 Classification of Sauternes and Barsac, located on the clay-limestone plateau of Haut-Barsac in the commune of Barsac, Gironde. The estate takes its name from the French word for 'pebbles', a tribute to its stony subsoil. The 12.9-hectare vineyard is planted to 90% Sémillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Purchased at auction in 1909 by Joseph Ballan, the estate has remained in the same family for over a century and is now managed by the fourth generation—Sébastien and Jean-Noël Pierre. Château Caillou produces an unusually wide range for a Barsac estate: its flagship sweet wine, the prestigious Cuvée Centennial (100% Sémillon, aged in 100% new French oak for 24 months), the ultra-rare Cuvée Reine made only in exceptional years, as well as Les Érables de Caillou (second wine), Caillou Sec (dry white Bordeaux), and Cru du Clocher (dry red). Harvesting is done by hand with multiple selective passes (tries) to pick perfectly botrytised grapes.
www.chateaucaillou.com ↗Cuvées
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Who Is This For?
For lovers of classic Sauternes and Barsac who seek the elegance of botrytised sweet whites with freshening acidity — ideal as an apéritif or paired with foie gras and blue cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What classification does Château Caillou hold?
- Château Caillou is classified as a Deuxième Cru Classé (Second Growth) in the 1855 Official Classification of Sauternes and Barsac.
- Where is Château Caillou located?
- The estate is located in the commune of Barsac, within the Sauternes appellation in Gironde, Bordeaux, on a clay-limestone plateau known as Haut-Barsac.
- What grape varieties does Château Caillou use?
- The vineyard is planted to 90% Sémillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon is the dominant variety because of its susceptibility to noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which concentrates the sugars and creates the signature richness of Barsac wines.
- What is the Cuvée Centennial (Centenaire) of Château Caillou?
- Cuvée Centennial is the estate's prestige cuvée, made from 100% Sémillon and aged for approximately 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. It is produced only in exceptional vintages and released in very limited quantities.
- How long has Château Caillou been in the same family?
- The estate has been in the Ballan family since 1909, when Joseph Ballan purchased it at auction. The property is now managed by the fourth generation of the family — Sébastien and Jean-Noël Pierre.