Pessac-Léognan
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Bordeaux's only appellation equally celebrated for both red and white grands crus
About Pessac-Léognan
- Producers listed
- 26
An AOC carved out of northern Graves in 1987, encompassing all classified Graves châteaux including Haut-Brion and Pape Clément. Uniquely renowned for both red and dry white wines of the highest quality, sitting on some of Bordeaux's oldest alluvial terraces.
Best for
Collectors and connoisseurs seeking Bordeaux's most distinguished reds and France's finest dry whites
Food Pairings
Reds: roast lamb, game, duck confit, aged hard cheeses. Whites: oysters, scallops, turbot, grilled salmon, and mild curries.
Producers
シャトー・ブスコー
Château Bouscaut
Château Bouscaut, a historic Pessac-Léognan estate, holds the rare distinction of being a Grand Cru Classé de Graves for both its red and dry white wines, an honor awarded in 1959. Established in the 17th century, it is now managed by Sophie Lurton and Laurent Cogombles, who have led it to organic certification for the 2023 vintage. Its unique terroir of clay over limestone and gravel yields elegant, complex wines. Both red and white offerings are celebrated for their aromatic richness, depth, and excellent aging potential.
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www.chateau-bouscaut.comシャトー・ブラウン
Château Brown
Château Brown is a historic estate in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, dating back to the 12th century. Named after Scottish wine merchant John Lewis Brown, who bought it in 1795, the estate has been led by Jean-Christophe Mau since 2004. Spanning 60 hectares (31 under vine), it is a certified HVE Level 3 oasis of biodiversity. It produces elegant, precise red and white wines.
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www.chateau-brown.comシャトー・カルボニュー
Château Carbonnieux
Château Carbonnieux, a Grand Cru Classé de Graves for both red and white wines, is one of Bordeaux's oldest and largest estates, with a history dating back to the 13th century when it was founded by Benedictine monks. Since 1956, the Perrin family has meticulously managed the property, significantly enhancing its reputation. Renowned for its elegant and age-worthy wines, particularly its white, which was historically known as "Carbonnieux mineral water" for its clarity, the estate also produces exceptional reds. Committed to sustainability, Château Carbonnieux holds HVE3 certification, reflecting its dedication to eco-friendly viticulture.
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www.carbonnieux.comシャトー・クーアン
Château Couhins
Château Couhins is a Grand Cru Classé de Graves estate located in Villenave-d'Ornon, within the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux. Uniquely owned by INRAE (the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) since 1968, it is one of the few estates in Bordeaux classified solely for its white wine in the 1959 Graves Classification. The 35-hectare estate produces elegant dry white wines primarily from Sauvignon Blanc (95%) and Sauvignon Gris (5%). Under INRAE's stewardship, Château Couhins has become a beacon for sustainable viticulture, achieving full organic certification in 2022, and serves as a living laboratory for agroecological and agroforestry research in winemaking.
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www.chateau-couhins.frシャトー・クーアン・リュルトン
Château Couhins-Lurton
Château Couhins-Lurton is a distinguished estate in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, renowned for its dry white wine, which holds the prestigious Cru Classé de Graves classification from 1959. The property's history dates back to the 18th century, with André Lurton acquiring and meticulously restoring it from 1967 onwards. It is the smallest of the André Lurton family's six estates and also the smallest Classified Growth of Graves. The vineyard spans 18 hectares, with 6 hectares dedicated to 100% Sauvignon Blanc for the white wine, grown on a unique clay-limestone terroir that imparts minerality and freshness. The 12 hectares for red wine are planted with Merlot (83-85%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15-17%) on gravel and clay soils. Winemaking involves fermentation and aging in barrels, sometimes with amphorae, emphasizing elegance, complexity, and excellent aging potential for both white and red wines. Since 2019, Jacques Lurton has overseen the winemaking, continuing the tradition of crafting exceptional wines. The estate also holds High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3 certification.
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www.chateau-couhins-lurton.comシャトー・ガザン・ロッククール
Château Gazin Rocquencourt
Château Gazin Rocquencourt is one of the oldest wine estates in the commune of Léognan, with vineyard records dating back to 1468 and an elegant manor house built in 1660. Originally known as 'Château Gazen et Bourbon,' then 'Château Gazin,' the estate adopted its current name in 1995 to distinguish itself from Château Gazin in Pomerol. Since 2006, the property has been owned by the Bonnie family—proprietors of the Grand Cru Classé de Graves Château Malartic-Lagravière—who manage it with the same meticulous care. The 22-hectare estate sits on a splendid ridge of dry gravel in Léognan, certified for sustainable agriculture and High Environmental Value (HVE). Red wines blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while a distinguished white wine is crafted from Sauvignon Blanc.
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www.gazin-rocquencourt.com
Show all other producers (20)
- Château Haut-Bailly
- Château Haut-Bergey
- Château Haut-Brion
- Château La Garde
- Château La Mission Haut-Brion
- Château Larrivet Haut-Brion
- Château Latour-Martillac
- Château Le Sartre
- Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
- Château Léognan
- Château Malartic-Lagravière
- Château Olivier
- Château Pape Clément
- Château Picque-Caillou
- Château Smith Haut Lafitte
- Château de Fieuzal
- Château de France
- Château de Rochemorin
- Domaine de Chevalier
- Vignobles André Lurton
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Pessac-Léognan wines unique in Bordeaux?
- Pessac-Léognan is the only Bordeaux appellation equally celebrated for both red and dry white wines at grand cru level. Its ancient gravel terraces south of the city create wines of remarkable elegance and complexity.
- Which famous châteaux are in Pessac-Léognan?
- Pessac-Léognan is home to Château Haut-Brion (the sole first growth outside Médoc), La Mission Haut-Brion, Pape Clément (Bordeaux's oldest named estate), Smith Haut Lafitte, and all 18 classified Graves châteaux.
- When was Pessac-Léognan created as an AOC?
- Pessac-Léognan received its own AOC designation in 1987, separating the finest northern part of Graves — home to all classified châteaux — from the broader Graves appellation.
- What are the main grape varieties in Pessac-Léognan?
- Reds are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec as supporting varieties. Whites use Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, often blended, producing some of France's greatest dry white wines.