Château Puygueraud

Château Puygueraud offers one of the best values in Bordeaux. It is located in the Côtes de Franc, the smallest region in Bordeaux, which is situated close to St. Emilion and Côtes de Castillon. It is owned by Nicolas Thienpont who oversees and makes the wine for two of the Right Bank’s greatest names – Pavie Macquin and Larcis Ducasse. Nicolas’ father Georges bought the property in 1946. Upon his arrival he found the vineyards in ruins and set about revitalising them through the planting of cereals and raising of cattle. It was only at the end of the 1970s that he began replanting the vineyards and in 1983, the first wine was produced. Château Puygueraud is produced mainly from Merlot with, however, a proportion of Cabernet that is quite high for the region as well as a touch of Malbec with its peppery character. In 2005, all the Cabernet Sauvignon was pulled up and Cabernet Franc was planted in its place. This variety ripens earlier and is better suited to the terroir of the Côtes de Francs. The estate produces three wines – Puygueraud, Lauriol, its second wine produced from the youngest vines, and Cuvée George, a special blend of 35% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon which is a small cuvée named after Nicolas’ father, who appreciated Malbec and Cabernet Franc.