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4.54/5

Pauillac Wines : Key Points

Pauillac is home to 3 of the 5 legendary First Classified Growths of Bordeaux (Mouton-Rothschild, Lafite-Rothschild, Latour) and 18 Classified Growths altogether, contributing to the stellar international reputation of this Left Bank appellation.

Although wine has been produced in Pauillac for many centuries, it was in the 16th century, when Dutch engineers drained the swamps and marshlands around the Gironde, that the signature gravel soils of Pauillac first appeared. These gravel soils reflect the heat of the sun and also offer great water drainage, providing the ideal environment for the cultivation for Cabernet Sauvignon, the flagship grape of the appellation.

Pauillac wines, undeniably the most prestigious of the Médoc, express in the glass a complex marriage between powerful Cabernet Sauvignon (dominating the blend) and more delicate and round Merlot. Pauillac wines tend to show a ruby colour in the glass, evolving amber tones over time. These wines seduce the nose with aromas of black currants, cedar and cigar box. On the palate, these wines are big, bold and beautiful, with powerful, structured tannins. Elegant and rich flavours of stewed black fruit seem to linger on forever.

Pauillac red wines have a remarkable potential for age, evolving beautifully in the bottle over 10-15 years, while the best labels continue ageing over three, four, five decades and more. These are powerful Bordeaux wines to pair with a wide range of dishes, including a roasted leg of lamb or other roasted, braised and grilled meats.