Château 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 lieu-dit "Le Bouscaut", was adopted, marking a new era for the vineyard. However, it was with the acquisition of the estate by Victor Place and the Comte 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: vineyard drainage, modernisation of the cellars and raising of the roof in 1930, accompanied by the addition of an iconic tower. These improvements enabled Château Bouscaut to produce wines of superior quality, already recognised in elite circles.

The following years were marked by festivities that brought together celebrated 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, their daughter, Sophie Lurton, and her husband Laurent Cogombles 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 highest point, encourages natural drainage, allowing the vines to take deep root and draw up essential nutrients.

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

In 2018, Château Bouscaut obtained the HVE3 certification (Haute Valeur Environnementale) and, since 2024, the estate has officially transitioned to organic farming, after three years of transition. This reflects the estate's commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable viticulture.

Vinification at Château Bouscaut

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

As for the whites, vinification takes place essentially in French oak barrels, combining new and previously used barrels. Sémillon is particularly showcased, benefiting from careful vinification to preserve its subtle aromas and structure. No extended skin contact or malolactic fermentation is permitted for the white wines, thus guaranteeing incomparable freshness and vivacity. 

Finally, plot selection is a key element of winemaking 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 primarily of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Classic vinification in stainless steel and concrete tanks 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 the palate, it reveals notes of black fruits, spices and a remarkable tannic depth.

Château Bouscaut Blanc - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

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

Les Chênes de Bouscaut Rouge

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

Les Chênes de Bouscaut Blanc

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 lees stirring, which gives it aromas of white-fleshed fruits and a generous texture. This wine is ideal to enjoy young to take full advantage of its freshness and immediate aromatic character.

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

Explore the full range of Grands Crus Classés of Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historic benchmark. For red and white wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. On the red side, 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 lovers can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer a wide range of wines to discover at the heart of the Graves region.

Château Bouscaut, under the direction of Sophie Lurton and Laurent Cogombles, has established itself today 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 iconic cuvées or its second wines, Château Bouscaut offers a unique tasting experience, combining tradition and modernity.