Château d'Arricaud
シャトー・ダリコー
A 23-hectare single-block Graves estate with 18th-century noble heritage, three generations of the Bouyx family, and HVE-certified sustainable viticulture — producing surprising sweet whites under the Graves Supérieures appellation.
Founded in the 18th century by Count Joachim de Chalup — a Grey Musketeer in 1772 and President of the Bordeaux Parliament — Château d'Arricaud is a single-block estate of 23 hectares in Landiras, at the heart of the Graves appellation. For three generations, the Bouyx-Trénit family has meticulously matched grape varieties to soil: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot occupy the clayey-gravel upper slopes, while Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle flourish on the clay-limestone lower terraces. The estate holds High Environmental Value (HVE) certification, reflecting its commitment to biodiversity and sustainable viticulture. Wines range from classic red and dry white Graves to a Graves Supérieures sweet white distinguished by powerful apricot and honey aromas — a surprise given the appellation's dry surroundings — with ageing potential up to 15 years.
www.chateau-darricaud.fr ↗Cuvées
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Who Is This For?
Ideal for those curious about lesser-known Bordeaux appellations — both the refined dry Graves blanc and the rare, honey-scented Graves Supérieures sweet white reward explorers who venture beyond Sauternes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes the terroir of Château d'Arricaud special?
- The 23-hectare single-block estate benefits from two distinct soil types: clayey gravel on the upper slopes — ideal for red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot — and clay-limestone with oyster shell fossils on the lower terraces, perfect for aromatic white varieties. This geological diversity within one property is rare even in the Graves.
- What is a Graves Supérieures wine?
- Graves Supérieures is an AOC for sweet white wines produced within the Graves region using Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. Unlike Sauternes or Barsac, the appellation is little known, making estates like Château d'Arricaud — which produces a particularly aromatic, apricot-and-honey styled version — genuine hidden gems of Bordeaux.
- Is Château d'Arricaud certified for sustainable viticulture?
- Yes. The estate holds France's Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) Level 3 certification — the country's highest environmental standard for wine estates — recognising its use of grass cover, preservation of surrounding biodiversity, and minimal chemical inputs.
- How long can the wines be aged?
- The Grand Vin red and the Graves Supérieures sweet white can be aged up to 15 years; the Réserve du Comte around 10 years; and the dry white Graves around 8 years. These are wines built for the cellar as much as the table.
- Does the sweet Graves Supérieures pair well with Japanese cuisine?
- Beautifully. The wine's apricot-honey aromatics and refreshing acidity make it an excellent match for dishes like foie gras teriyaki, wagashi (Japanese sweets), or matcha-based desserts — the same noble-rot character that works with Sauternes applies here, but with a lighter touch.