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Bordeaux Producers
Name: Bordeaux
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Between Beychevelle to the north and Latour across the commune boundary to the south in Pauillac, and running almost down to the Gironde, sits one of the clutch of 5 St Julien second growths, Ducru-Beaucaillou. Beychevelle is in fact a parent of Ducru; in 1642, when the British were just getting going on the killing spree now referred to as the English Civil War, the Beychevelle estate was broken up to settle a debt, and one of the resulting parcels would become what is now Ducru-Beaucaillou. The name didn`t come till later.
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Duhart-Milon is a stablemate of Lafite. The vineyards are adjacent, with the same fine gravels and black sands over a bedrock of limestone, but Duhart lies on lower ground with a more northerly exposure. Once upon a time, it was made as the second wine of Lafite, and for even longer it remained in Lafite`s shadow. But it has evolved an identity all its own, under its own technical team since 2001, and it has gone from strength to strength over the last two decades. It used to be marked by a certain youthful austerity, but is typically richer these days.
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Durfort-Vivens had a good 19th century. The 1844 was priced higher than any other Margaux wine except Chateau Margaux itself. Commentator, wine connoisseur and future American president Thomas Jefferson rated Durfort-Vivens alongside Lafite, Latour and Margaux. The 1855 classification placed it as a second growth. Things weren’t so good through most of the 20th century. In the 1930s, it was bought by Margaux and used to make that chateau’s second wine. In the 1960s, it was sold on to the Lurton family, but without its chateau.
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While most vineyards in the Medoc were not laid out till the 17th century when the marshes had been drained, wine has been made continually at d’Issan since the 12th century. In 1152, wine made at Issan – then under the name of La Mothe-Cantenac – was served at the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitane and Henri II. In 1453, after losing the Battle of Castillon which concluded the Hundred Years’ War, the surviving English troops took refuge at the fortified castle here. In the 17th century, it became the property of the d’Essenault family, and d’Issan is a phonetic spelling of their name.
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When we say that Chateau d’Yquem is in a class of its own, we mean that literally – it gets the top tier in the 1855 classification of the white wines of the Gironde, Premier Cru Superieur, all to itself. And its terroir really does put it head and shoulders above other Sauternes properties – it stands at the highest point in the appellation, offering views all around. It’s a genuine advantage for the vines - that elevation allows the wind to remove excess moisture from the vines as noble rot settles in.
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A visit to Feytit-Clinet is so unlike a visit to most Bordeaux chateaux. It’s not a castle or a stately home, nor are you filtered past receptionists or along mirrored halls. In fact, it’s much more like a visit to Burgundy where the owner stomps out from round the back in welly boots, kicking their kids` toys out of the way as they go. Jeremy Chasseuil lives and works here, and has done since the year 2000 when he took over.
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Figeac was one of the winners in the 2022 St-Emilion reclassification, and it now plays in the very top league, Premier Grand Cru Classe (A). It should probably have always been there, but never mind. It is one of the oldest properties in Bordeaux, with roots in the second century and the Roman Figeacus family. (I know that sounds like it comes from the Life of Brian, but it’s for real, and there are Gallo-Roman remains on the property). The Manoncourt family arrived in 1892, and remain here to this day.
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Pomerol estate Gazin has a full 19 hectares of vines on the plateau, more than any other winery in the appellation, all in one single block. It also commands the appellation’s highest point, next to Petrus, at just over 40 metres. The vineyard is planted to 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, though the proportion of Cabernets is set to increase in response to climate change. (NT 12/05/25)
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Margaux Third Growth Giscours is an older estate than most. It is referenced as a fortified property in a 1330 document, and recorded as making wine in 1552. It was confiscated from its aristocratic owners in the French Revolution, and re-sold, initially to two Americans from Boston. A long list of other owners followed. The most notable nineteenth century name here was not an owner at all, but Estate Manager Pierre Skawinski, one of the great agricultural innovators of his day.
