Chateau Poujeaux

Moulis-en-Médoc

 

Classification:

Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

 

Vineyards (red):

Surface area: 128.4 acres

Average age of vines: 30 years

Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

Density of plantation: 10,000 vines per hectare

Average yields (over the last 5 years): 54 hectoliters per hectare

Total average annual production: 370,000 bottles

 

Grand Vin (red):

Brand name: Chateau Poujeaux

Appellation: Moulis-en-Médoc

Mean annual production: 270,000 bottles

Upbringing: Fermentation and macerations last 4 weeks in wooden, concrete, and stainless-steel vats. Wines undergo malolactics in vats and are aged in oak barrels, which are renewed by half at each vintage, for 12 months. They are fined and filtered.

 

Second Wine:

Brand name; Chateau La Salle de Poujeaux or le Charme de Poujeaux

Average annual production: 100,000 bottles

 

Evaluation of present classification: Should be upgraded to a fifth-growth

Plateau of maturity: 6-20 years following the vintage

 

"While there is a considerable rivalry among Poujeaux, Chasse-Spleen, and Maucaillou, most observers agree that year in and year out, these are the three best wines of Moulis."

 

"Poujeaux is clearly a wine that deserves to be ranked as a fifth-growth in any new classification of the Bordeaux hierarchy."

 

Rated "Excellent"

Robert M. Parker Jr.

 

Chateau Poujeaux 1995

Wine Spectator: “Best Poujeaux in decades.  Fabulous richness and fruit, yet extremely refined in texture.  Harmony through and through.  Intense blackberry, cherry, and violets, with a hint of oak.  Full-bodied, with loads of ultrafine tannins.  Goes on and on, Best after 2002.”

 

Rated 92

Wine Spectator

 

Robert Parker: “A very good wine, with grip, tannin, medium to full bodied, and excellent ripeness, this unevolved, backward yet promising Poujeaux needs cellaring.  There is some mineral-tinged, sweet black currant fruit in both the aromatics and flavors.  Anticipated maturity: 2003-2015.”

 

Rated 87 Robert M. Parker Jr.

 

Chateau Poujeaux 1996

 

Wine Spectator: “Wonderfully finesse.  Full-bodied yet refined, with silky tannins and a long minty, mineral, berry aftertaste.”

 

Rated 90-94

Wine Spectator

 

Robert Parker: “Opaque purple-colored, with moderately high tannin yet excellent sweet black currant fruit, this medium-bodied, well-structured, muscular, densely packed Poujeaux will require 7-8 years of cellaring.”

 

Rated 86-87+ Robert M. Parker Jr.