Château Maucaillou
Château Maucaillou
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
History of Château Maucaillou
Château Maucaillou, an audacious architectural blend of Renaissance and Arcachon styles, came into being in 1875 when J. Petit-Laroche decided to give his wife a sumptuous bourgeois residence as a wedding gift, to be built opposite his Medoc cellars. The Marian brothers, renowned Moulis entrepreneurs, were commissioned to carry out the project.
In 1929, the history of Château Maucaillou took a new turn with the acquisition by Roger and André Dourthe, who gave birth to the successful trading company known today as C.V.B.G. Dourthe Kressmann. Under Roger's management, the vineyard grew to 32 hectares, and his son Philippe, a leading figure in Bordeaux wine circles, continued this expansion to reach the current 90 hectares.
Today, Pascal Dourthe, supported by his sisters Caroline and Magali, guides the estate's destiny, perpetuating the family saga and preserving Château Maucaillou's exceptional heritage.
The terroir of Château Maucaillou Moulis en Médoc
The name "Maucaillou" comes from the Gascon "Mau caillou", which literally means "bad stone". This refers to the stony nature of the soil in the region, which is often considered ideal for growing vines.
Indeed, the estate's 90 hectares of vineyards are located on terroirs consisting of beautiful ridges of Quaternary alluvium, mainly from the Garonne gravelly Güntz nappe, reputed to be the origin of the Médoc's Grands Crus Classés. This "gravel", composed of large, shiny pebbles, plays a crucial role in reflecting the sun's rays onto the grape bunches during the summer, thus creating essential conditions for full ripening.
Visit Château Maucaillou
It is indeed possible to visit Château Maucaillou and discover the fascinating world of wine at this emblematic Médoc estate. Tours offer a complete experience, allowing visitors to explore the estate's technical facilities, from the grape harvest to the vat room and the first-year barrel cellar.
Accompanied by expert guides, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about winemaking methods and taste a Château wine in an authentic setting. Each visit concludes with the presentation of a glass engraved with the Château Maucaillou coat of arms, as a souvenir of this immersion in the heart of the Médoc.
Grape varieties in the Château Maucaillou vineyard
In the Château Maucaillou vineyard, the dominant grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon 52% for its brilliant ruby color and ageing potential, followed by Merlot 41% for its mellow sap and corpulence, with a touch of Petit Verdot 7% to reinforce the body and tannin richness, adding a distinctive aromatic signature.
#WINES OF THE DOMAIN: Appellations and Cuvées
Moulis and Haut-Médoc appellation
The Haut-Médoc appellation, south of the Médoc, is renowned for its quality red wines, produced on gravel and clay-limestone soils. With its predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties, it offers wines with strong ageing potential and rich, complex aromas.
Discover our full range of Haut-Médoc wines
Château Maucaillou wines
Château Maucaillou
N°2 de Maucaillou
Maucaillou Haut-Médoc
Château Maucaillou wines are distinguished by their excellence, setting the benchmark for Moulis, the result of meticulous care at every stage, from vine to bottle. Thanks to their privileged terroir and passionate winemaking, they easily rival many of the Médoc's Grands Crus Classés. With age, the bouquet reveals a sumptuous color and delicate fruity aromas, these wines are both concentrated and balanced, expressing exquisite harmony. Their generous structure and finesse make them perfect drinking companions. With their silky tannins and remarkable ageing potential, each bottle of Château Maucaillou promises an unforgettable experience on the palate.
N°2 de Maucaillou, the youngest member of Château Maucaillou, comes from the same exceptional Moulis terroir as its illustrious elder. Rigorously selected, this wine benefits from the same meticulous care lavished on the estate's grand vin. Although it cannot rival Château Maucaillou in complexity and volume, "N°2 de Maucaillou" nevertheless expresses the qualities characteristic of the family line. Charming and generously fruity, it has good ageing potential and stands out for its round mouthfeel and silky tannins, making it a sure bet in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation.
Maucaillou Haut-Médoc is a cuvée in the Haut Médoc appellation that embodies the passion and dedication of Pascal Dourthe and his team. Every year, during blind tastings of the estate's vats, vat number 8, with a capacity of 53,300 liters, has always aroused real pleasure. This wine, mainly made from magnificent, high-quality Garonne gravel, located mainly in Lamarque, offers remarkable organoleptic characteristics. This led to the idea of bottling this wine for the estate's most loyal customers.
The best vintages of Château Maucaillou 2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
How much does Château Maucaillou wine cost and where can I find it?
The cost of a bottle of Château Maucaillou can fluctuate according to several criteria, such as the vintage, the cuvée, its rarity and market demand. Older vintages and special cuvées are often associated with higher prices due to their prestige and ageing potential. To discover and purchase Château Maucaillou wines, we encourage you to visit our website, where you'll find a wide selection of our products available online.
#IN BRIEF: Figures
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation : Haut-Médoc
Surface area : 90 Hectares (100% red)
Red grape varieties : Cabernet sauvignon (52%), Merlot (41%), Petit verdot (7%)
Vine cultivation : Reasoned