Clos Louie
クロ・ルイ
Home to one of Bordeaux's rarest treasures: 150-year-old pre-phylloxeric own-rooted vines on Pomerol-like iron-rich clay-limestone soils, certified organic for over 15 years.
Clos Louie is a micro-estate located in Saint-Genès-de-Castillon in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, managed by Pascal Lucin and Sophie Douteau. The crown jewel of the domaine is a 0.85-hectare parcel of pre-phylloxeric vines planted under Napoleon III — over 150 years old — producing mixed old varieties including Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet. The vines grow on a gently sloping plateau with argilo-calcareous soil rich in red ferruginous residues, comparable to the soils of Pomerol. Founded in 2003, the estate has practised organic viticulture from the very beginning (certified organic for over 15 years) and is currently transitioning to biodynamics. Annual production is limited to just 8,000 bottles. Pascal Lucin also serves as cellar master at Château Grand-Pontet in Saint-Émilion, and the estate works with renowned enologist Claude Gros. Two principal cuvées are produced: the flagship Clos Louie from the pre-phylloxeric parcel, and Louison & Léopoldine, named after the couple's children, sourced from younger 50-year-old vines with a high proportion of Cabernet Franc.
Cuvées
No cuvées registered yet.
Who Is This For?
Perfect for wine lovers drawn to rare, terroir-driven Bordeaux that defies convention — those who seek out old-vine purity, organic integrity, and a sense of living history in the glass. Also excellent for explorers of Castillon and the right bank who want something beyond the grand châteaux.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Clos Louie's vines so exceptional?
- The estate's flagship parcel contains pre-phylloxeric vines over 150 years old — planted before the devastating phylloxera pest swept through Europe — that have never been grafted onto American rootstock. These own-rooted old vines are extraordinarily rare in Bordeaux and produce wines of remarkable depth and complexity.
- Is Clos Louie certified organic?
- Yes. Clos Louie has practised organic viticulture since the estate was founded in 2003 and has held organic certification for over 15 years. The estate is currently transitioning toward biodynamic farming practices as well.
- What are the two main cuvées produced at Clos Louie?
- The flagship 'Clos Louie' (Vieilles Vignes) is made from the pre-phylloxeric parcel with mixed old varieties. 'Louison & Léopoldine', named after the owners' children, comes from younger 50-year-old vines with a high proportion of Cabernet Franc, and is known for its fresh, elegant style reminiscent of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc.
- How does the terroir of Clos Louie compare to other Bordeaux appellations?
- The pre-phylloxeric parcel sits on argilo-calcareous soil rich in red ferruginous residues on a gently sloping limestone plateau — a terroir often compared to Pomerol for its iron-rich clay character. This gives the wines a distinctive mineral richness uncommon in Castillon.
- How much wine does Clos Louie produce each year?
- Production is intentionally limited to approximately 8,000 bottles per year across all cuvées, reflecting the tiny scale of the estate (4.25 hectares total, including only 0.85 hectares of pre-phylloxeric vines).