Bouscaut

History of Château Bouscaut

The history of Château Bouscaut begins well before the adoption of this name in the 19th century. Originally, this estate, founded in the 17th century, bore the name Domaine Haut Truchon. It was in 1876 that the current name, taken from the locality "Le Bouscaut", was adopted, marking a new era for the vineyard. However, it was with the acquisition of the estate by Victor Place and Count de Rivaud in 1925 that Château Bouscaut truly began to transform into a renowned wine property.

Under the direction of Place and Rivaud, the château underwent a series of crucial renovations: drainage of the vineyards, modernisation of the cellars and raising of the roof in 1930, accompanied by the addition of an iconic tower. These improvements allowed Château Bouscaut to produce wines of superior quality, already recognised in elite circles.

The following years were marked by festivities that brought together famous personalities, such as Jacques Chaban-Delmas and Maurice Chevalier. But the true consecration came in 1953, when Château Bouscaut was awarded the title of Cru Classé de Graves for its red and white wines, an honour reserved for the most prestigious estates in the region.

In the 1960s, the château suffered two major fires but was rebuilt identically under the direction of architect Michel Garros. Then, in 1979, Château Bouscaut entered a new phase of its history with the acquisition by Lucien and Marie-Jeanne Lurton, members of one of the most influential families in the Bordeaux vineyard. Since then, it is their daughter, Sophie Lurton, and her husband Laurent Cogombles who have been running the estate with passion and commitment.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Bouscaut

Located in Cadaujac, in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the Château Bouscaut vineyard extends over 52 hectares, of which 45 hectares are planted for the production of red and white wines. The clay, limestone and gravel soils overlook gentle slopes, creating a terroir of great richness. The altitude of the vineyard, reaching up to 34 metres at its summit, promotes natural drainage, allowing the vines to root deeply and capture essential nutrients.

The red vineyard is mainly composed of Merlot (55%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), accompanied by Malbec (7%). The use of Malbec, planted as early as 1955, gives a unique typicity to the estate's red wines. For white grape varieties, 60% of the plots are dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc and 40% to Sémillon, including some century-old vines, planted in 1850, which are still productive today. This blend of grape varieties guarantees white wines of great complexity and exceptional freshness.

In 2018, Château Bouscaut obtained HVE3 (High Environmental Value) certification and, since 2024, the estate has officially switched to organic farming, after three years of transition. This demonstrates the estate's commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable viticulture.

Vinifications at Château Bouscaut

Vinification at Château Bouscaut is carried out with extreme care, combining tradition and innovation to enhance each vintage. The reds ferment in small volume concrete and stainless steel vats, allowing optimal temperature control. Malolactic fermentation, which softens the acidity of the wines, takes place in both vats and barrels, contributing to the richness and complexity of the red wines. Subsequently, these wines are aged for 12 to 16 months in oak barrels, 35% of which are new.

As for the whites, vinification is mainly done in French oak barrels, combining new and previously used barrels. Sémillon is particularly valued, benefiting from careful vinification to preserve its subtle aromas and structure. No prolonged contact with the skins or malolactic fermentation is allowed for the white wines, thus guaranteeing incomparable freshness and liveliness. 

Finally, plot selection is a key element of vinification at Château Bouscaut. This allows the best plots of the estate to be isolated in order to produce wines of exceptional aromatic precision, respecting the unique character of each grape variety and terroir.

The Cuvées of Château Bouscaut

Château Bouscaut Rouge - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Château Bouscaut Rouge is an intense and structured wine, composed mainly of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The classic vinification in stainless steel and concrete vats is followed by ageing in oak barrels for 12 months. This wine is renowned for its powerful aromas, well-balanced tannins and longevity, making it an ideal wine for ageing. On tasting, it reveals notes of black fruits, spices and remarkable tannic depth.

Château Bouscaut Blanc - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Château Bouscaut Blanc, also a Cru Classé de Graves, is made from Sémillon, including a plot of ungrafted vines over 100 years old, and Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon gives the wine a rich and complex structure, while Sauvignon Blanc brings freshness and liveliness. This wine is aged in oak barrels, which gives it subtle notes of vanilla and exotic fruits. It is appreciated for its balance between aromatic richness and freshness.

Les Chênes de Bouscaut Red

Les Chênes de Bouscaut Rouge is the estate's second wine, made from the same grape varieties as the grand vin. It benefits from the same vinification and ageing methods as Château Bouscaut Rouge, thus offering a more accessible but equally expressive version. Its aromas of red fruits and tannic structure make it a gourmet and charming wine, to be consumed younger.

Les Chênes de Bouscaut White

Les Chênes de Bouscaut Blanc is also the estate's second wine, made from the same blend as Château Bouscaut Blanc. It is vinified in barrels with regular stirring, which gives it aromas of white-fleshed fruits and an ample texture. This wine is ideal to drink young to enjoy its freshness and immediate aromatic side.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two Bordeaux appellations, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly prized for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are equally remarkable for their structure and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm this continuing excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore all the Grands Crus Classés de Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the First Growth of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historical reference. For red andwhite wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. For reds, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover in the heart of the Graves region.

Château Bouscaut, under the direction of Sophie Lurton and Laurent Cogombles, now stands as one of the jewels of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Thanks to exceptional terroirs, careful vinification and a commitment to organic farming, the estate produces red and white wines of great finesse and rare complexity. Whether through its emblematic cuvées or its second wines, Château Bouscaut offers a unique tasting experience, combining tradition and modernity.