Rauzan Gassies

History of Château Rauzan-Gassies

Château Rauzan-Gassies has its roots in history, with origins dating back to the 14th century. At that time, the "noble house of Gassies" was a rear-fief of the Margaux seigniory. However, it was in the 17th century, under the impetus of Pierre Desmezures de Rauzan, a knight and manager of the famous Latour and Margaux châteaux, that the viticultural history of this estate truly began. Drawing on his experience, Pierre de Rauzan acquired plots of land and founded what later became the Domaine de Rauzan, a prestigious vineyard.

The estate was split in two in 1763, giving birth to Château Rauzan-Gassies and its neighbour, Château Rauzan-Ségla. Rauzan-Gassies quickly distinguished itself, ranking among the greatest wines of the appellation. This excellence was consecrated during the famous 1855 classification, where the château was elevated to the rank of Second Grand Cru Classé.

In 1946, the Quié family, passionate about viticulture, took over the estate, with Paul Quié at its head. Since then, Paul Quié's descendants, Anne-Françoise and Jean-Philippe Quié, have continued the family's work, modernising the vineyard and perpetuating a tradition of exceptional quality. The acquisition in 2012 of Château Bel Orme Tronquoy-de-Lalande, their first family estate, further enriched this heritage.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Rauzan-Gassies

The Château Rauzan-Gassies vineyard extends over 30 hectares of exceptional terroir, spread between the Margaux and Haut-Médoc appellations. Nestled on two of the most prestigious crests of Margaux, on the left bank, the estate benefits from soils composed of deep gravel and gravelly sands, promoting optimal drainage and perfect grape maturation.

The predominant grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), renowned for its ability to produce powerful and structured wines. It is accompanied by Merlot (40%), which brings roundness and fruitiness, and a touch of Petit Verdot (2%), offering spicy nuances and depth of colour. With a planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare and an average vine age of 35 years, the Château Rauzan-Gassies vineyard is a true gem, carefully maintained to preserve its balance and vitality.

The estate adheres to sustainable viticultural practices, illustrated by the signing of the Natura 2000 Charter, a commitment to preserving biodiversity. The château's plots are surrounded by forests and meadows, which host local fauna and flora. These natural spaces are carefully maintained, with a local Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle breeder providing natural soil amendments, thus contributing to the regeneration of the vines.

Winemaking at Château Rauzan-Gassies

The winemaking methods at Château Rauzan-Gassies combine tradition and modernity to produce wines of great precision. Each step, from harvesting to ageing, is carried out with the utmost care to enhance the potential of the terroir.

The grapes are harvested both manually and mechanically, depending on the plots, followed by fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, with regular pumping over (2 to 3 times a day) to maximise the extraction of aromas and tannins. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in vats and barrels to bring more complexity to the wine.

The wines are then aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels, of which about 30% are new. This process imparts subtle aromas of wood and spices to the wines of Château Rauzan-Gassies, while respecting the expression of fruit and terroir.

The Cuvées of Château Rauzan-Gassies

Château Rauzan-Gassies offers several cuvées, each reflecting a unique aspect of the estate and its terroir.

Château Rauzan-Gassies - Second Grand Cru Classé

The estate's main wine is an exceptional Margaux, made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon (about 65%), complemented by Merlot and Petit Verdot. This Grand Vin is renowned for its perfect balance between power and elegance. Aromas of ripe black fruits, blackcurrant and blackberry mingle with subtle notes of violet, cedar and spices. On the palate, the tannins are silky, offering a velvety texture that gives the wine great ageing potential. With a production of about 70,000 bottles per year, this cuvée is a reflection of the estate's mastery in producing fine and precise wines.

Gassies - Second Wine of Château Rauzan-Gassies

Gassies, the estate's second wine, is made from young plots destined to produce the Grand Vin once they reach maturity. This wine, both more accessible and more exuberant, seduces with its freshness and aromatic purity. Blended mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it is distinguished by aromas of bright red fruits, such as cherry and redcurrant, accompanied by velvety tannins. Produced at 36,000 bottles per year, Gassies is an ideal entry point to discover the style of Château Rauzan-Gassies.

L'Orme de Rauzan-Gassies - Haut-Médoc

From the Haut-Médoc terroir, L'Orme de Rauzan-Gassies is an elegant and delicate cuvée, mainly composed of Merlot (65%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (35%). The vines, planted on gravelly soils close to the river, benefit from a protected natural environment. This wine is distinguished by its freshness and finesse, with aromas of crunchy red fruits, such as plum and cherry, enhanced by floral and spicy notes. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, it offers silky tannins and a beautiful length on the palate. With a production of 70,000 bottles, L'Orme de Rauzan-Gassies charms with its accessible charm and refined structure.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wines, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years are 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. Recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, symbolising Bordeaux excellence.

The Second Growths of 1855 constitute a prestigious category, grouping together iconic estates that often rival the First Growths in quality. Among them, discover Château Brane-Cantenac and Château Durfort-Vivens, both located in Margaux, as well as Château Lascombes, Château Rauzan-Ségla, and Château Rauzan-Gassies. In Saint-Julien, wine enthusiasts will appreciate the wines from Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Gruaud Larose, and the famous Château Léoville Poyferré and Château Léoville Barton. Don't miss Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe, as well as the essential Château Pichon Longueville Baron and Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac.

Château Rauzan-Gassies, with its rich historical past, exceptional terroirs and viticultural expertise passed down from generation to generation, embodies the very essence of the Margaux appellation. Its wines, combining elegance, complexity and finesse, are the ultimate expression of the great Médoc terroir. Whether with its Grand Vin, Château Rauzan-Gassies, or its more accessible cuvées such as Gassies and L'Orme de Rauzan-Gassies, this prestigious estate continues to seduce fine wine lovers around the world.