Château Poujeaux

History of Château Poujeaux

The origins of Château Poujeaux date back to the Middle Ages, when the Terre de Poujeaux was part of the Seigneurie de Latour Saint-Mambert, known today as Château Latour, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac. The name "Château Poujeaux" appeared for the first time in 1806, but it was not until the 19th century that the estate produced its first wines and gradually gained its independence.

Over the centuries, the estate passed through several hands, undergoing divisions and consolidations. It was finally in 1921 that the Theil family acquired the estate, reunifying the fragmented plots to form a coherent whole. This restructuring allowed Château Poujeaux to regain its reputation as a renowned wine estate.

The modern era of Château Poujeaux truly began in 2008, when the Cuvelier family, already owners of Clos Fourtet in Saint-Émilion, took over the reins. Driven by the vision of Matthieu Cuvelier and the expertise of oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt, the estate embarked on a phase of modernisation to reach the very top of the great wines of Bordeaux. Through meticulous management and considerable investment, Château Poujeaux has recaptured its excellence and continues to establish itself as a reference of the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Poujeaux

The vineyard of Château Poujeaux extends over 68 hectares in a single block, nestled on the gravelly ridges of Grand Poujeaux, to the north-east of Moulis-en-Médoc. This terroir, composed of gravelly soils of Günzian origin, lends the estate's wines the finesse and depth characteristic of the appellation. Situated at an altitude of up to 25 metres, the vines benefit from ideal conditions for optimal grape ripening, offering a perfect balance between power and elegance.

The vineyard's grape varieties are well balanced, with a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Merlot (40%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%). This diversity of varieties allows the domaine de to produce complex and expressive wines, where each variety contributes its own nuance. The vines, with an average age of 35 years, are planted at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare, ensuring optimal concentration of aromas.

Winemaking at Château Poujeaux

Winemaking at Château Poujeaux rests on a philosophy of excellence and respect for the fruit. Every step is designed to bring out the intrinsic qualities of the grapes, from the selection of plots to the final blends. Harvesting, carried out by hand, generally begins in mid-September and ends in mid-October, with each plot picked at its optimal point of ripeness. A meticulous sorting process ensures that only the finest grapes are retained.

The winery facilities, modernised under the direction of the Cuvelier family, allow for plot-by-plot winemaking thanks to small-capacity vats. This makes it possible to separate the grapes according to vine age, grape variety and plot of origin, building lots with complementary profiles. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in vats over approximately one month, followed by 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels, of which 30 to 40% are new oak depending on the vintage.

The art of blending, pursued with rigour and focus, makes it possible to create wines that are true to the spirit of Château Poujeaux, where elegance, depth and balance are the watchwords. Each vintage is the reflection of meticulous attention to detail and a constant pursuit of perfection.

The cuvées of Château Poujeaux

Château Poujeaux offers several cuvées, each expressing the richness and diversity of its terroir.

Château Poujeaux  

The grand fine wine of the estate, Château Poujeaux, is a model of elegance and depth. Assembled from the finest lots, it offers a rich and complex aromatic palette, combining notes of fresh fruit, a beautiful tannic structure and a long, balanced finish. This wine, made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, embodies the very identity of the estate and offers excellent ageing potential. Approximately 250,000 bottles are produced each year, a testament to the estate's commitment to producing a wine of exceptional quality.

La Salle de Château Poujeaux  

The second wine of the estate, La Salle de Château Poujeaux, is the result of a bold blend that combines freshness and fruit maturity. Its supple tannins and roundness make it an approachable wine from its earliest years, winning over drinkers with its fruity character and softness. It is a perfect cuvée for those who wish to discover the Poujeaux style with a wine ready to drink relatively quickly. Each year, approximately 80,000 bottles are produced.

Haut de Poujeaux  

Produced from 3.5 hectares located in the Haut-Médoc appellation, Haut de Poujeaux is a cuvée that expresses the full authenticity of the region's terroir. With production limited to approximately 20,000 bottles, this wine is sought after for its unique character, elegant structure and authentic spirit. Haut de Poujeaux is a niche cuvée, reserved for discerning enthusiasts in search of rare and distinctive wines.

The best-known wines of Moulis are the châteaux Chasse Spleen, Gressier Grand Poujeaux, Maucaillou, Poujeaux…

Moulis-en-Médoc, one of the prestigious appellations of the Bordeaux wine region, is renowned for producing remarkable wines, particularly in its finest vintages. Among the most notable are iconic years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, which have left a lasting impression 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 palette of flavours and longevity, reinforcing Bordeaux's reputation as a global benchmark for fine wines.

A symbol of excellence and tradition, Château Poujeaux stands as an indispensable reference of the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation. Thanks to the commitment of the Cuvelier family and the expertise of its teams, the estate continues to win over enthusiasts and connoisseurs with wines of great elegance and unique depth. Each vintage is the expression of an exceptional terroir and rigorous work, combining modernity with respect for Bordeaux's winemaking traditions. Château Poujeaux offers refined wines, capable of ageing beautifully while remaining approachable and pleasurable from their youth.