Maucaillou

History of Château Maucaillou

The history of Château Maucaillou dates back to 1875, when J. Petit-Laroche, a wine merchant, decided to build a château as a wedding gift for his wife. This audacious château blends architectural styles from the Renaissance and 17th-century influences, giving rise to a unique building that is symbolic of the eclectic architecture of the Médoc region in the late 19th century.

The name "Maucaillou" translates to "bad stones", referring to the gravelly soils that, in the Middle Ages, were not very conducive to cereal cultivation. However, these gravel croupes, composed of shiny pebbles, have proved to be a prime terroir for the vine, offering Château Maucaillou a unique potential for the production of great wines. In 1929, the Dourthe family, renowned wine merchants, acquired the estate. This family, passionate about wine, has continued to develop the property and modernise its facilities. The vineyard has thus gradually expanded to reach nearly 90 hectares today.

Château Maucaillou was also one of the first "Crus Bourgeois" to join the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, a guarantee of quality and international recognition. The motto "Grand Cru Classé, ne puis; Cru Bourgeois, ne daigne; Château Maucaillou, suis" sums up the strong identity of this estate, which, although it does not belong to the 1855 classification nor to the Crus Bourgeois since 2003, stands out for the quality of its wines.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Maucaillou

The terroirs of Château Maucaillou are mainly composed of Garonne gravels from the Güntz period, a type of soil that reflects the sunlight on the grapes and thus promotes optimal ripening of the fruit. This gravelly land, once considered unsuitable for cultivation, is now recognised as an ideal soil for high-quality grape varieties. The estate's vineyards cover 72 hectares in the Moulis-en-Médoc AOC and 18 hectares in the Haut-Médoc AOC, prestigious appellations of the region.

The grape variety composition of Château Maucaillou is perfectly balanced to create characterful and age-worthy wines. It consists of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, providing structure and ageing potential, 41% Merlot, adding roundness and suppleness, and 7% Petit Verdot, a grape variety that gives the wine specific aromas and an intense colour. The meticulous care given to the vineyards results in harvests carried out both by hand and by machine, depending on each plot, to ensure optimal grape quality.

Vinifications at Château Maucaillou

Vinification at Château Maucaillou is a highly precise process, led by Pascal Dourthe and his team, who ensure the best is extracted from each vintage. Since 1982, Philippe Dourthe has introduced a unique method: the first days of fermentation are carried out at low temperature to preserve and intensify the fruity aromas of the grapes. The temperature is then gradually increased to extract the fine tannins and colour from the grape skins, ensuring harmonious and well-balanced wines.

After alcoholic fermentation, a malolactic fermentation takes place to soften the flavours and stabilise the wine. The wines then age in French oak barrels, renewed each year at a rate of 40 to 60% depending on the characteristics of the vintage. This barrel-ageing process gives the wines subtle woody aromas and a tannin structure suitable for long-term ageing. The château has two ageing cellars where the wines spend their first and second year of maturation, respectively.

The Cuvées of Château Maucaillou

The wines of Château Maucaillou are renowned for their elegance and aromatic richness, regularly awarded prizes in professional competitions and tastings. The estate's annual production is divided into three main cuvées:

Château Maucaillou

Château Maucaillou, the estate's flagship wine, is a reference in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation. It is characterized by an intense ruby robe, aromas of ripe red fruits and a subtle aromatic complexity. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied, generous and well-balanced, with a tannic elegance that offers great length. It is aged in French oak barrels and has a remarkable ageing potential, able to be cellared for decades. This wine is particularly appreciated for its finesse and ability to gain complexity as it ages.

Le N°2 de Maucaillou

Le N°2 de Maucaillou is the estate's second wine, made from the same terroirs and vines as Château Maucaillou. Although less complex than the grand vin, it is known for its charming character, generous fruitiness and round mouthfeel. This wine is designed to be more accessible when younger, but retains a beautiful tannic structure that allows it to age well. Le N°2 de Maucaillou is often described as a supple and pleasant wine, perfect for more casual tastings while still offering the signature quality of the domain.

Haut-Médoc de Maucaillou

Produced from vines located outside of Moulis, the Haut-Médoc de Maucaillou is a wine made with the same standards of excellence as the grand vin. This wine is distinguished by its intense aromas of black fruits and a fine tannic structure. On the palate, it offers a balanced richness and a silky taste, true to the spirit of the estate. This limited-production cuvée of passion is a great success with lovers of elegant and racy wines.

Other Wines of the Estate

In addition to the red wines, Château Maucaillou also produces a white cuvée, the B par Maucaillou, a Bordeaux Blanc AOC mainly made from Sauvignon Blanc. The estate also stands out with its sparkling wine, Tentation par Maucaillou, one of the rare Crémants de Bordeaux from the left bank, perfect for celebrations and festive occasions.

The best-known Moulis wines are Châteaux Chasse Spleen, Gressier Grand Poujeaux, Maucaillou, Poujeaux...

Moulis-en-Médoc, one of the prestigious appellations of the Bordeaux vineyard, is renowned for producing remarkable wines, particularly during its finest vintages. Among the most notable are emblematic years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, which have left their mark on fine wine enthusiasts. Other exceptional vintages include 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, each recognised for its balance and depth. More recently, the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 continue this tradition, with particularly elegant and promising wines. These vintages offer an exceptional range of flavours and longevity, reinforcing Bordeaux's reputation as a global reference in wine-making.

Château Maucaillou is much more than just a wine estate; it is a symbol of excellence and know-how in the Bordeaux region. With a unique terroir, a carefully balanced grape variety composition and artisanal vinification, the estate's wines offer an authentic sensory experience, appreciated by connoisseurs worldwide. Whether you are an amateur of great wines or looking for a discovery, the cuvées of Château Maucaillou invite you to dive into the prestigious world of the Médoc. Each bottle of Château Maucaillou is a tribute to the history, traditions and passion for wine that have animated this estate since its creation.