Dauzac

History of Château Dauzac

The origins of Château Dauzac date back to the 12th century, but it was in the 17th century that the estate truly took off under the impetus of Pierre Drouillard, a Bordeaux merchant and jurat (magistrate). He expanded the vineyard and raised the estate to the heights of the Grands Crus of the Médoc. In 1783, the Lynch family, descendants of Irish merchants, took possession of the estate following the marriage of Thomas-Michel Lynch to Drouillard's daughter. The family, already well-established in the Bordeaux wine trade, propelled Château Dauzac's reputation internationally.

Classified as a Fifth Growth during the famous 1855 classification, the estate continued to evolve under various owning families, including the Johnstons and the Bernats, each contributing to the edifice by modernising vinification techniques. Château Dauzac also played a key role in European viticultural history with the invention of the Bordeaux mixture, a revolutionary treatment against downy mildew developed by Alexis Millardet and Ernest David at the estate. Over the centuries, Château Dauzac has forged a unique identity, combining respect for terroir, innovation and the quest for perfection.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Dauzac

Château Dauzac's terroir spans 49 hectares in a single block, a rare characteristic in the Margaux appellation. This vineyard, situated on the left bank, benefits from soils consisting of deep gravelly ridges, remnants of ancient alluvial terraces, which offer ideal conditions for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, the king grape variety of the Médoc. The proximity to the Gironde estuary helps moderate temperature variations, creating a favourable microclimate for grape ripening.

The estate practises very reasoned viticulture, where biodiversity is valued. With a planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare, Château Dauzac relies on a grape variety composition dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (69%), complemented by Merlot (29%) and a touch of Petit Verdot (2%). These grape varieties are distributed across meticulously selected plots thanks to deep soundings and electrical resistivity tests, allowing each variety to be adapted to the specificities of the soil.

In constant pursuit of innovation, Château Dauzac has gradually adopted biodynamic principles, with several hectares certified in organic and biodynamic agriculture. The estate has also banned the use of insecticides for twenty years in favour of ecological methods, and introduced practices such as grass cover to regulate the water supply to the vines.

Vinification at Château Dauzac

Vinification at Château Dauzac combines tradition and modernity, with meticulous attention to each stage of production. The estate rigorously selects the woods used for the barrels, in collaboration with its coopers, for ageing in extra-fine French oak barrels for 12 to 18 months. About 60% of the barrels are new, which helps preserve the integrity of the fruit while offering great aromatic complexity to the wines.

Since 2016, Château Dauzac has chosen 100% Vegan vinification, replacing traditional egg white with vegetable proteins for fining. The estate thus distinguishes itself as the first 1855 Grand Cru Classé to claim this practice respectful of animals and the environment. This turn towards more sustainable vinification is accompanied by the use of wooden vats with double transparent staves, which allow better control of fermentations and refine decisions during vinification.

The Cuvées of Château Dauzac

Château Dauzac produces a varied range of cuvées that reflect the richness and diversity of its terroir.

Château Dauzac

The estate's Grand Vin is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which brings great complexity and elegance. This wine is distinguished by its subtle bouquet of fruits, flowers and spices, as well as its silky tannins and beautiful length on the palate. A true wine for ageing, it reveals itself with finesse after a few years of maturation.

Franc de Pied

This unique cuvée comes from an experimental plot of Cabernet Sauvignon planted without rootstock, a rare practice since the appearance of phylloxera. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine, produced biodynamically, offers an extraordinary sensory experience, allowing rediscovery of the original taste of the grape variety.

Aurore de Dauzac 

The fruit of vines located on fine, sandy gravel soils, this plot-specific cuvée highlights the freshness and deliciousness of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aurore de Dauzac is distinguished by its fruity intensity and crispness, ideal for a more accessible tasting.

Labastide Dauzac 

Produced on clay plots favourable to the expression of Merlot, Labastide Dauzac is a supple, round and seductive wine. It offers a perfect balance between fruitiness and tannic structure, making it an accessible and pleasant cuvée to drink young.

Le Haut-Médoc de Dauzac

This wine comes from the estate's 4 hectares located in the Haut-Médoc appellation. Crafted with the same rigour as the other cuvées, it is characterised by its aromatic complexity, with notes of red fruits and spices, and by its balance on the palate.

Cuvée Neutre Carbone 

This innovative wine is produced according to entirely carbon-neutral practices. Each step, from viticulture to bottling, is carried out with a minimal carbon footprint, reflecting Château Dauzac's commitment to sustainability. This wine, from a one-hectare plot of Cabernet Sauvignon, is sold locally to limit carbon emissions related to transport and will be bottled in June 2025.

The best Bordeaux vintages are essential references for collectors and lovers of great wines. Among the most remarkable are the following vintages: 1945, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1975, 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2005, 
2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020...

The Fifth Classified Growths offer a beautiful diversity of properties in the Médoc, testifying to Bordeaux's winemaking expertise. In Pauillac, one finds renowned estates such as Château d'Armailhac, Château Batailley, Château Clerc Milon, Château Croizet-Bages, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Lynch-Moussas, Château Pedesclaux, and Château Pontet-Canet. In the Haut-Médoc, Château Camensac and Château Cantemerle stand out with their own characteristics. In Margaux, Château Dauzac and Château du Tertre bring a touch of elegance, while Château Cos Labory from Saint-Estèphe completes this prestigious selection. Each of these estates reflects a unique facet of the Bordeaux terroir.

Château Dauzac stands out as a true pioneer among the Grands Crus Classés of Margaux. Its commitment to biodiversity, innovation and sustainability makes it an estate resolutely turned towards the future, while respecting its centuries-old traditions. Whether through its Grand Vin or its innovative cuvées such as Franc de Pied or the Cuvée Neutre Carbone, Château Dauzac continues to surprise and delight fine wine enthusiasts. An estate to watch closely, and to enjoy without moderation.