Gazin

History of Château Gazin

Château Gazin has its roots in a rich and ancient history. The first traces of the estate date back to the late 18th century, when Antoine Feuilhade, a Bordeaux lawyer, was the owner. However, it was at the beginning of the 20th century that the estate took on a new dimension with the acquisition by Louis Soualle, great-grandfather of the current owners. Since then, Château Gazin has remained in the family, now managed by the fifth generation represented by Laure, Nicolas, Christophe and Inès de Bailliencourt dit Courcol.

The history of the estate is closely linked to the former presence of the Knights of the Hospital of Pomeyrols, an establishment built to accommodate pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela. This historical connection is reflected in the name of the estate's second wine, l'Hospitalet de Gazin, and in its emblematic logo.

In 1969, Château Gazin sold part of its vineyards (5.5 hectares) to the prestigious Château Petrus, marking a turning point in its history. Under the direction of Nicolas Bailliencourt, who took over in 1990, the estate underwent gradual modernisation while returning to traditional methods, such as manual harvesting and reduced yields to improve wine quality.

The 2005 and 2010 vintages of Château Gazin were rated 96/100 by Robert Parker, underlining the quality and richness of this Pomerol.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Gazin

Château Gazin benefits from an exceptional terroir located on the high clay-gravel terrace of Pomerol. With its 26 hectares in one piece, the estate has one of the largest vineyard areas in the appellation, which is relatively rare in this region.

The soil of the vineyard is mainly composed of Günzian gravel on the surface, with layers of blue and green clay in the subsoil, rich in iron oxides, locally called 'crasse de fer'. These clays, characteristic of the great terroirs of Pomerol, ensure a regular and moderate water supply, essential for the proper ripening of the grapes. This geological particularity allows Château Gazin to produce wines of remarkable complexity and longevity, capable of ageing for several decades.

The vineyard is planted with a majority of Merlot (90%), accompanied by Cabernet Sauvignon (7%) and Cabernet Franc (3%). The average age of the vines is 35 years, an important factor that contributes to the concentration and quality of the grapes. The plots are carefully worked with respect for the environment using traditional practices such as ploughing, the use of organic fertilisers and sustainable pest control. The estate is also certified High Environmental Value (HVE3), emphasising its commitment to sustainability and biodiversity protection.

Winemaking at Château Gazin

The winemaking process at Château Gazin is meticulous and is carried out in accordance with Bordeaux traditions. The harvest is done manually, plot by plot, to ensure optimal ripeness of the grapes. An initial sorting is carried out directly in the vineyard, then two other sortings are performed at the winery, before and after destemming, to select only the best fruits.

Alcoholic fermentations take place in small concrete vats, grape variety by grape variety and plot by plot, to preserve the specificity of each terroir. A period of maceration of the juices with the skins follows, lasting two to three weeks, allowing for the extraction of colour, aromas and tannins. After this phase, the free-run wines are drained and the marc is pressed separately to extract a carefully isolated press juice.

Malolactic fermentation, which softens the wines, takes place either in vats or in barrels, depending on the characteristics of the batches. Then, the wines are aged in French oak barrels (50% new wood) for 18 months. During this period, regular racking allows for the refinement of the blends. This prolonged contact with fine lees and wood tannins gives the wines their structure, complexity and ageing potential.

The cuvées of Château Gazin

Château Gazin produces two main cuvées :

Château Gazin

The estate's grand vin, a classic Pomerol, powerful and elegant. It is distinguished by its aromatic depth, with notes of black fruits (blackcurrant, plum), sweet spices and sometimes nuances of leather or undergrowth. On the palate, it offers a rich and harmonious texture, supported by a fine tannic structure that allows it to age admirably for 20 years or more. The 2020 vintage, for example, is ample and athletic, offering a nice tension brought by the Cabernet Sauvignon. Lovers of great Bordeaux wines will find in each vintage the signature of a refined, age-worthy wine, reflecting the exceptional terroir of Pomerol.

L'Hospitalet de Gazin

Created in 1986, this second wine is produced from the estate's young vines. It shares the same blend as the grand vin (90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc) and benefits from the same care in its vinification. L'Hospitalet de Gazin is more accessible in its youth than Château Gazin, while retaining a beautiful aromatic depth and a pleasant tannic structure. It provides an excellent introduction to the world of great Pomerol wines, while being easier to drink young.

On average, the estate produces up to 100,000 bottles per year, of which 86% are exported worldwide, mainly through Bordeaux négociants.

Pomerol, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most notable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to delight fine wine enthusiasts. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to offer wines of exceptional quality, thus cementing the appellation's reputation amongst Bordeaux's finest.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where each estate rivals in excellence. Beyond the legendary Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L'Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, or even Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the great classified growths of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, which will delight connoisseurs of fine wines. 

Château Gazin embodies the elegance and depth of the great wines of Pomerol. With its exceptional terroirs and environmentally friendly practices, it produces powerful, complex wines capable of lasting for decades. With its two emblematic cuvées, Château Gazin and l'Hospitalet de Gazin, the estate offers a unique experience, accessible to all lovers of great Bordeaux wines.