Pessac-Leognan
Planted in the southeast of Bordeaux, this legendary vineyard sang by poet and Roman consul Ausone exists since the highest Antiquity. It is probably Eleanor of Aquitaine, by marrying Henry II king of England and bringing her Graves vineyard in dowry, who gave since then to this wine its international renown.
It is a vineyard that extends on a 60 by 15 kilometers strip, south of the Medoc region.
The total area of the vineyard amounts to 4150 hectares (75% for reds and 25% for whites).
Inside, but on a smaller surface area, and in general nearer Bordeaux or sometimes in Bordeaux for some wines, a 1959 decree recognizes the controlled designation of Pessac-Léognan due to its historical roots, the typicality of its vineyard (geology and microclimate) and the winegrowers’ farming methods of this very small area that extends on 1600 hectares, which is less than 40% of the graves area.
The wines harvested on this restricted Graves area must come from the towns of Cadaujac, Canéjan, Gradignan, Léognan, Martillac, Mérignac, Pessac, Saint Médard-d'Eyrans, Talence and Villenave d'Ornon.
These wines are entitled to the designation ‘Pessac-Leognan’ whether they are red or white (83% for reds and 17% for whites). Red wines mainly come from an association of Cabernet-Sauvignon and merlot varieties. These are very expressive wines with a remarquable sap and very fine. White wines come from sauvignon and Sémillon varieties. They are surely Bordeaux’s greatest white wines, maybe even the world’s.
There are currently 16 classified Crus, of which a Haut-Brion classified 1855 and 1973.
Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Domaine de Chevalier, Château Couhins, Château Couhins-Lurton, Château de Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Haut-Brion, Château Laville Haut-Brion, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Olivier, Château Pape Clément, Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Château La Tour-Haut-Brion, Château Latour Martillac.