Pessac-Leognan
In 1986 a new communal district was created within Graves, based on the districts of Pessac and Léognan. Pessac-Léognan has the best soils of the region, very similar to those of the Médoc, although the depth of gravel is more variable, and contains all the classed growths of the region. Some of its great names, including Ch. Haut-Brion, even sit serenely and resolutely in Bordeaux's southern urban sprawl.
Learn more about Pessac-Leognan
In 1986 a new communal district was created within Graves, in Bordeaux, based on the districts of Pessac and Léognan, the first of which lies within the suburbs of the city. Essentially this came about through pressure from Pessac-Léognan vignerons, who wished to disassociate themselves from growers with predominately sandy soils further south in Graves.
Pessac-Léognan has the best soils of the region, very similar to those of the Médoc, although the depth of gravel is more variable, and contains all the classed growths of the region. Some of its great names, including Ch. Haut-Brion, even sit serenely and resolutely in Bordeaux's southern urban sprawl.
The climate is milder than to the north of the city and the harvest can occur up to two weeks earlier. This gives the best wines a heady, rich and almost savoury character, laced with notes of tobacco, spice and leather. Further south, the soil is sandier with more clay, and the wines are lighter, fruity and suitable for earlier drinking.
Recommended Châteaux: Ch. Haut-Brion, Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion, Ch. Pape Clément, Ch Haut-Bailly, Domaine de Chevalier, Ch. Larrivet-Haut-Brion, Ch. Carmes Haut-Brion, Ch. La Garde, Villa Bel-Air.
Prices:
Bottle
£18.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
Bottle
£19.50
Bottle 12 x 75cl4cs
Stuart Fyfe, Personal Wine Advisor
Bottle
£19.50
Bottle 6 x 75cl27cs
Max Lalondrelle - Wine Buyer
Bottle
£19.95
Bottle 12 x 75cl114cs
Starting with the 2009 vintage, the owners, the Jean-Claude Bolleau family, have entrusted management of this estate to Domaine de Chevalier, a Graves great growth.
Bottle
£22.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl13cs
Bottle
£24.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl2cs
89/100 Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Jan 2016
Bottle
£24.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl52cs
Bottle
£24.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl36cs
Bottle
£25.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl8cs
Bottle
£28.50
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28th Oct 2016
Bottle
£28.50
Bottle 6 x 75cl59cs
Bottle
£46.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl8cs
Ch La Tour Martillac is a good name in the Graves (now, of course, refined as Pessac-Léognan for the best communes), and one that carries Grand Cru Classé status for both its red and dry white wines. Arguably the estate was more famous for the latter in the past, but the reds have made very good progress in recent years and Michel Rolland is engaged as a consultant.
In earlier vintages under the Rolland banner the wine was perhaps too light for the level of new oak used, but adjustments of both now present themselves as well-matched in this example. La Tour Martillac has been owned and managed by the Kressmann family since the late 19th century and now under the stewardship of Tristan and Loïc Kressmann.
The tower that gives its name to this estate is all that remains of the 12th century fortification. Famously the gold and black label dates back to 1929, designed specifically for a bottle served in 1936 for the coronation of George Vl.
Mark Pardoe MW, BBR Wine Director
Bottle
£49.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl14cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Bottle
£62.59
Bottle 6 x 75cl17cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
55% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl66cs
Bottle
£57.79
Bottle 12 x 75cl35cs
89-92/100 Robert M. Parker, Wine Advocate #214 Aug 2014
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl10cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Magnum
£61.00
Magnum 6 x 150cl7cs
Incredible intensity and deep red and black fruit with the finest tannins of the vintage coating the palate. It has precision, grace, complexity and power with an outstanding richness that fills the mouth completely. Better than 2009 or 2010? It sort of sits between the two. The power of 2009 and finesse of 2010. A real must have and I think the price will be down on last year, but I worry about being able to buy enough. Heavenly happiness!
Simon Staples, Berrys’ Fine Wine Director
Bottle
£65.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl4cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl11cs
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate, June 2010
Special
£306.00
Special 1 x 150cl80cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl8cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl10cs
Case price (D. Magnum 1 x 300cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl3cs
Bottle
£553.50
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Jake Dean - Fine Wine Sales Director
Case price (D. Magnum 1 x 300cl)
D. Magnum 1 x 300cl1cs
Case price (Bottle 1 x 75cl)
Bottle 1 x 75cl4cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl8cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl3cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl2cs
Philip Moulin - Wine Buyer, January 2017
A perennial overachiever, Ch. Baret is one of the most consistent properties in Pessac. Lovingly tended, and in family hands for over 200 years, the vineyards certainly benefit from their relative proximity to the outskirts of Bordeaux. The temperate climate means the fruit ripens early and evenly, and the harvest here is rarely affected by late summer rain.