The world's most prestigious Pomerol, just 11.4 hectares of 100% Merlot on blue clay. Production of 30,000 bottles per year; Olivier Berrouet winemaker since 2008.
Signature wines: petrus-pomerol
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2000), Wine Advocate 100 (1998)
Address: 3 Route de Lussac, 33500 Pomerol, France, Bordeaux
Ultra-micro Pomerol estate of just 2.7 hectares producing 400 to 600 cases of 100% Merlot per year. One of the most expensive wines in Bordeaux; first vintage 1979.
Tasting: Not open to the public.
Signature wines: le-pin-pomerol
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2000), Decanter 100 (1982)
Pomerol's counterpart to Petrus, owned by the Thienpont family since 1924. 14-hectare contiguous plot planted 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc; 100th anniversary celebrated in 2024.
Tasting: Visits by appointment.
Signature wines: vieux-chateau-certan, gravette-de-certan
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2015), Vinous 98 (2018)
Ultra-micro Pomerol estate of just 2.7 hectares producing 400 to 600 cases of 100% Merlot per year. One of the most expensive wines in Bordeaux; first vintage 1979.
Tasting: Not open to the public.
Signature wines: le-pin-pomerol
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2000), Decanter 100 (1982)
Pomerol's counterpart to Petrus, owned by the Thienpont family since 1924. 14-hectare contiguous plot planted 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc; 100th anniversary celebrated in 2024.
Tasting: Visits by appointment.
Signature wines: vieux-chateau-certan, gravette-de-certan
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2015), Vinous 98 (2018)
The only Sauternes Premier Cru Superieur, producing botrytised Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc of extraordinary longevity. LVMH-owned; Sandrine Garbay winemaker; average 10 hl/ha yield.
Tasting: Tours and tastings available by appointment; booking through official site.
Signature wines: chateau-dyquem, y-de-yquem
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2001), Wine Spectator 100 (2001)
Historic Saint-Emilion estate of 7 hectares planted 55% Cabernet Franc on limestone plateau; family-owned Vauthier; ultra-limited annual production of around 1,500 cases.
Tasting: By appointment only.
Signature wines: chateau-ausone, chapelle-dausone
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2000), Wine Advocate 100 (2015)
Saint-Estephe second growth with 91 hectares, famous for pagoda-adorned winery. Fully organic since 2024; Michel Reybier owner; produces red, second wine, and a white Sauvignon-Semillon blend.
Tasting: Visits and tastings available through La Maison d'Estournel hotel.
Signature wines: cos-destournel-rouge, les-pagodes-de-cos, cos-destournel-blanc
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2003), James Suckling 100 (2016)
Saint-Julien second growth with 75 hectares on the Gironde riverside. Bruno Borie owner and manager; 70% Cabernet Sauvignon blend with 18 months in oak barrels.
Tasting: By appointment only.
Signature wines: ducru-beaucaillou, la-croix-ducru-beaucaillou
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2010), James Suckling 100 (2016)
