Château de Malle

History of Château de Malle

The history of Château de Malle begins at the end of the 16th century, when Arnaud de Malle, a Bordeaux merchant, had a first house built in Preignac. At the beginning of the 17th century, his son Jacques de Malle, President of the Bordeaux Parliament, erected the current château and launched the production of white wine. Through successive alliances, the estate then passed to the de Lur-Saluces family, also owners of Château d'Yquem, and subsequently to the family of the Counts of Bournazel. In 1855, the Sauternes of Château de Malle was classified as a Deuxième Cru Classé.

Following the frosts of 1956, Pierre de Bournazel entirely replanted the vineyard, restored the château and founded the Commanderie du Bontemps de Sauternes et Barsac in 1959. Upon his passing, Countess Nancy de Bournazel continued his work alongside her sons. Having remained within the same family by inheritance for nearly four hundred years, the estate was acquired in 2024 by Luc and Clémence Planty, the former director of Château Guiraud and his wife. The new owners then undertook the conversion to organic farming, the restructuring of the vineyard and the restoration of the gardens, opening the estate to visitors.

Terroirs and Vines of Château de Malle

The vineyard of Château de Malle extends in a single block over approximately fifty hectares, straddling the communes of Preignac and Fargues, and spanning the Sauternes and Graves appellations. Approximately thirty hectares are classified under Sauternes. Set on a plateau of moderate altitude, the plots rest on a fine diversity of soils: gravel, clay and stony sands over a siliceous subsoil, conducive to the expression of great sweet wines as well as dry wines.

The Sauternes is produced from a grape blend dominated by Sémillon, complemented by Sauvignon and a touch of Muscadelle, planted at a density of approximately 6,600 vines per hectare. The portion classified under the Graves appellation yields dry white wines and red wines. Since 2024, the estate has been restructuring its vineyard through mass selections of Sémillon and Sauvignon, as part of an approach now conducted under organic farming.

Winemaking at Château de Malle

Château de Malle perpetuates the traditional methods of Sauternes. The harvest is carried out by hand, through successive tries: only grapes perfectly botrytised by noble rot are picked, requiring three to five passes through the vines depending on the year. This rigorous selection, grape by grape, is the key to the concentration and finesse of great sweet wines.

The must then ferments in oak barrels, approximately one third of which are new each year. Ageing continues for twenty to thirty months depending on the vintage, before bottling at the château two to three years after the harvest. The dry white wines and red wines of the Graves appellation benefit from the same care, to reveal the full typicity of their terroir.

The wines of Château de Malle

Château de Malle (Sauternes, Deuxième Cru Classé) is the estate's Fine Wine, a sweet wine predominantly made from Sémillon. Its colour, golden then amber with age, accompanies a spiced and floral nose of great purity. On the palate, it captivates with its power, depth and length, unfolding aromas of candied orange, honey, exotic fruits and soft spices. A refined Sauternes, ideal with foie gras, desserts or blue cheeses, and endowed with a fine ageing potential.

M de Malle (Graves blanc sec) is the estate's dry white wine. Balanced and mineral, lively and refined, it reveals an elegant aromatic expression blending flowers, apricot and exotic fruits, all underpinned by a beautiful freshness. A delicious white to be savoured with fish and seafood.

Château de Cardaillan (Graves rouge) is the estate's red wine. Bouqueted and approachable, it offers subtle aromas of red fruits and silky, supple tannins that lend it roundness and fruitiness. A pleasant Graves rouge to be enjoyed from its youth.

Château de Sainte-Hélène is the second sweet wine of Château de Malle. More immediately approachable, it is distinguished by an enveloping freshness, combining finesse and balance. It offers a fine introduction to the world of the estate's great Sauternes wines.