Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Chateau Picque Caillou was built in 1780 in what was considered then the countryside of Bordeaux. Today, it has become a part of the growing city of Bordeaux. It is surrounded by illustrious neighbors such as Château Haut Brion (1er Grand Cru Classé), Château La Mission Haut-Brion (1er Grand Cru Classé Graves) and Château Pape-Clément (1er Grand Cru Classé Graves). All of these properties have resisted urbanization since the past century in order to preserve their extraordinary terroir to make outstanding wines. The Pessac-Léognan appellation, created in 1987, is reserved for the most exclusive estates in the northern part of Graves region. C
Chateau Picque Caillou is owned by Isabelle and Paulin Calvet who took over the management of the estate in 1995 and purchased it in 1997. This dynamic couple has brought a fresh burst of life with significant investments done in the vineyard and the cellar over the years. Valérie Lavigne (from the famous consulting team of Denis Dubourdieu) has been involved as the consultant winemaker for over a decade. As a result, the wines have improved tremendously in quality, finesse and consistency while offering outstanding value. It is 23 hectares in size (57 acres) on gravel and sand subsoils with high density planting. About 20.50 hectares is dedicated to red wine and 2.5 hectares is dedicated to white wine. Harvest starts end August for the white wine whereas it starts mid-September for the red wine. After manual harvest, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks. The red wine benefits from 12 months of aging in 30% new French oak whereas the white wine benefits from 6 months of aging in 20% new French oak. Estate grown and bottled. Sustainable practices.h
The property produces every year a red and white wine both under the Pessac-Léognan appellation.
Recognized for its superior reds as well as whites, Pessac-Léognan on the Left Bank claims classified growths for both—making it quite unique in comparison to its neighboring Médoc properties.
Pessac’s Chateau Haut-Brion, the only first growth located outside of the Médoc, is said to have been the first to conceptualize fine red wine in Bordeaux back in the late 1600s. The estate, along with its high-esteemed neighbors, La Mission Haut-Brion, Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pique-Caillou and Chateau Pape-Clément are today all but enveloped by the city of Bordeaux. The rest of the vineyards of Pessac-Léognan are in clearings of heavily forested area or abutting dense suburbs.
Arid sand and gravel on top of clay and limestone make the area unique and conducive to growing Sémillon and Sauvignon blanc as well as the grapes in the usual Left Bank red recipe: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and miniscule percentages of Petit Verdot and Malbec.
The best reds will show great force and finesse with inky blue and black fruit, mushroom, forest, tobacco, iodine and a smooth and intriguing texture.
Its best whites show complexity, longevity and no lack of exotic twists on citrus, tropical and stone fruit with pronounced floral and spice characteristics.
Sometimes light and crisp, other times rich and creamy, Bordeaux White Blends typically consist of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Often, a small amount of Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris is included for added intrigue. Popularized in Bordeaux, the blend is often mimicked throughout the New World. Somm Secret—Sauternes and Barsac are usually reserved for dessert, but they can be served before, during or after a meal. Try these sweet wines as an aperitif with jamón ibérico, oysters with a spicy mignonette or during dinner alongside hearty Alsatian sausage.