CHÂTEAU CARONNE STE. GEMME

AOC Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

This property is situated south of Château Lagrange—a superb island of vines on a gravel plateau. Matured in wood for 12 months, with 25 percent new oak.

RED Full-bodied wines rich in flavor with undertones of creamy oak, and a supple, tannin structure.

Cabernet Sauvignon 65%, Merlot 33%, Petit Verdot 2%

8–20 years

Second wine: Château Labat

CHÂTEAU LA CARDONNE

AOC Médoc Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

This property was purchased by the Rothschilds of Lafite in 1973 and has since been expanded and

renovated. This wine is matured in wood for 12 months, with 50 percent new oak.

RED These are attractive, mediumbodied wines with a good, grapey perfume and a silky texture, made in an elegant style.

Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Merlot 50%, Cabernet Franc 5%

6–10 years

DEUTZ (GM)

16 rue Jeanson

51160 Aÿ-Champagne

The profitability and quality of Deutz suffered from underfunding until Roederer acquired it in 1983. Its resurgence began a little shakily with the 1985 vintage but was firmly established by 1988, when it returned to making very stylish Champagnes. Now on stunning form. Deutz also owns Delas Frères in the Rhône and Château Vernous in the Médoc, and has a partnership with Montana to produce Deutz Marlborough in New Zealand (owned by Allied-Domecq, which owns Mumm and Perrier-Jouët).

Entire range

CHÂTEAU CAPLÉON-VEYRIN

AOC Listrac Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

Simply called Château Cap-Léon originally, the vines of this property are planted in two plots of claygravel soil over marl.

RED Deep-colored, full-bodied, richly flavored wines with high extract levels and a good balance of tannin.

Cabernet Sauvignon 35%,Merlot 60%, Petit Verdot 5%

5–12 years

CHÂTEAU CANTEMERLE

AOC Haut-Médoc 5ème Cru Classé

In 1980, new stainless-steel fermentation vats replaced the old wooden ones that had been responsible for some stingy vintages. Also discarded were all the old casks, so the 1980 vintage was uniquely matured in 100 percent new oak. The wine is normally matured in wood for 18 to 20 months, with onethird new oak. It is currently performing above its classification.

RED Deliciously rich wines of fine color, creamy-oaky fruit, beautiful balance, and increasing finesse.

Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 40%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 5%
8–20 years
Second wine: Villeneuve de Cantemerle

CHÂTEAU CAMENSAC

AOC Haut-Médoc 5ème Cru Classé

Situated behind Château Belgrave, this property was renovated in the mid-1960s by the new owners, the Forner brothers, who are of Spanish origin, and later established Marquès de Cáceres in Rioja. Camensac began making wine equivalent to its classification in the late 1970s, and since 1995 has been performing beyond its class. It is matured in wood for 17 to 20 months, with 35–70 percent new oak.

RED Well-structured wine, with a medium weight of fruit and a certain amount of finesse.

Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 40% k8–20 years

Second wine: La Closerie de Camensac
Other wine: Le Bailly de Camensac

CHÂTEAU BRANAS GRANDPOUJEAUX

AOC Moulis

These excellent and rapidly improving wines are aged in wood for 18 months, with 100 percent new oak.

RED Thanks to an increase in Merlot, this wine has plenty of accessible fruit, charming aromatic properties, and increasing finesse.

Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 45%, Petit Verdot 5%

5–12 years

Second wine: Clos des Demoiselles

CHÂTEAU BRILLETTE

AOC Moulis

Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

This château’s name reputedly derives from its glinting, pebbly soil. The wine is matured in wood for 12 months, with 40 percent new oak.

RED These are attractively colored wines of full but supple body, with delightful summer-fruit and vanilla aromas. Easily equivalent to cru classé quality.

Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 48%, Cabernet Sauvignon 9%, Petit Verdot 3%

5–12 years

CHÂTEAU CAMBON-LA-PELOUSE

AOC Haut-Médoc

Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

Under the same ownership as Château Grand Barrail-Lamarzelle Figeac, this estate was classified cru bourgeois in 1932, but not included in the Syndicat’s 1978 list. This wine is matured in wood for 12 months, with 45 percent new oak.

RED Soft, medium- to full-bodied wines with fresh and juicy flavors.

Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Merlot 50%, Cabernet Franc 20%

3–8 years

Other wine: Château Trois Moulins

CHÂTEAU LE BOURDIEU VERTHEUIL

AOC Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois

Situated between Vertheuil and St.Estèphe, this château was classified cru bourgeois in 1932, but not included in the Syndicat’s 1978 list. This wine is matured in wood for 12 months, with 30 per cent new oak.

RED Well-colored, full-bodied wines of robust character that are not lacking in charm.

Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 25%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Petit Verdot 5%

7–15 years

Second wine: Château Haut-Brignays

Other wines: Château La Croix des Sablons, Château Victoria-Picourneau

CHÂTEAU BOUQUEYRAN

AOC Moulis

A big improvement in quality and value since this 32-acre (13-hectare) property was leased by Philippe Porcheron of nearby Château Rose Saint-Croix. Wines are matured in wood for 18 months with up to 50 percent new oak. La Fleur de Bouqueyran is a superior cuvée.

RED Lovely deep-colored, deepflavored wines of not inconsiderable style and finesse.

Cabernet Sauvignon 41%, Merlot 57%, Petit Verdot 2% k5–10 years

Second wine: Les Tourelles de Bouqueyran

CHÂTEAU BISTON-BRILLETTE

AOC Moulis

Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

This top-quality Moulis property ages its wines in wood for 12 to 15 months, with up to 35 percent new oak.

RED Wines that are very rich in color and fruit with a full, spicycassis character and a supple tannin structure.

Cabernet Sauvignon 55%, Merlot 40%, Malbec 2%, Petit, Verdot 3%

5–15 years

Second wine: Château Biston

Other wine: Château Graveyron

CHÂTEAU BERNADOTTE

AOC Haut-Médoc

Consistently performing above its class, this château is situated on fine, gravelly ground that once had the right to the Pauillac appellation and formed part of a cru classé. The quality has improved since the property was purchased in 1996 by the redoubtable Madame Lencquesaing, who also owns Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse-de-Lalande. This wine is now matured in wood for 12 months, with 30 percent new oak.

RED These wines are very stylish, with lush Cabernet fruit backed up by the creamy richness of new oak.

Cabernet Sauvignon 62%, Merlot 36%, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot 2%

6–12 years

Second wine: Château Le Fournas Bernadotte

CHÂTEAU BEL-ORMETRONQUOY- DE-LALANDE

AOC Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois

This property has a confusingly similar name to Château Tronquoy-Lalande, St.-Estèphe. Steady improvement since the mid-1990s has turned the once four-square character of these wines into a more classically structured style. This wine is matured in wood for 12 to 14 months, with 10 percent new oak.

RED These are firm, fruity, classically structured wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Merlot 55%, Cabernet Franc 10%

7–15 years

CHÂTEAU BELGRAVE

AOC Haut-Médoc 5ème Cru Classé

Situated on a good gravel bank behind Château Lagrange, the wine, which is matured in wood for 24 months with up to 50 percent new oak, has improved consistently throughout the 1990s.

RED A good balance of blackcurrant fruit and ripe acidity, with much more supple tannin structure than used to be the case, and vanilla overtones of new oak.

Cabernet Sauvignon 55%, Merlot 32%, Cabernet Franc 12%, Petit Verdot 1%

8–16 years

Second wine: Diane de Belgrave

CHÂTEAU BEL-AIR LAGRAVE

AOC Moulis, Cru Bourgeois

This growth was classified cru bourgeois in 1932, but not included in the Syndicat’s 1978 list. The wine is matured in wood for 18 to 20 months, with 70 percent new oak.

RED These vividly colored wines have a fine bouquet and firm tannic structure.
Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 35%, Petit Verdot 5%
8–20 years
Second wine: Château Peyvigneau

CHÂTEAU BEAUMONT AOC

Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

A large property that consistently produces wines of good quality. This wine is matured in wood

for 12 months, with 30 percent new oak.

RED These are aromatically attractive wines with elegant fruit and supple tannin.

Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 35%, Cabernet Franc 2%, Petit Verdot 3%

4–8 years

Second wine: Château d’Arvigny

Other wine: Tours de Beaumont

CHÂTEAU D’AURILHAC

AOC Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois

A relative newcomer that has quickly developed a cult following. The grapes are machine harvested, and the wine is matured in wood for 12 months, with 35 percent
new oak.

RED A flashy, huge, dark, and dense wine with masses of fruit to balance the ripe tannins and extrovert oak.

Cabernet Sauvignon 56%, Merlot 38%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Petit Verdot 3%

5–15 years Second wine: Château La Fagotte

CHÂTEAU D’AGASSAC

AOC Haut-Médoc

Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

This is one of the best unclassified wines in the Haut-Médoc. The wine is matured in wood for 15 months, with one-third new oak.

RED Dark-colored, plummy wine, with a lot of soft, ripe fruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon 47%, Merlot 50%, Petit Verdot 3%

4–10 years

Second wine: Château Pomiès-Agassac

ST-ESTÈPHE AOC

The potential of St-Estèphe is exemplified by Cos d’Estournel, which is one of the best deuxièmes crus in the Médoc, but the strength of this appellation lies in its range of crus bourgeois. The area under vine is slightly less than that of Margaux, which has the largest area, but St.-Estèphe has far more unclassified châteaux, and even the best wines are wonderfully cheap.

RED If Pauillac is the stallion of the four famous appellations, St.-Estèphe must be the dray horse. These dry, full-bodied wines are big and strong, yet not without dignity. St-Estèphe demands affection and, with the rich fruit of a sunny year, deserves it. These

most enjoyable, sweet-spice and cedary wines can have lots of honest, chunky fruit. Cos d’Estournel is the thoroughbred of the commune.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot

8–25 years (crus classés);

5–12 years (others)