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Chateau Pouget

Chateau Pouget is one of those long-lost domaines of the 1855 classification, along with Pedesclaux, Belgrave and perhaps a few others. They secrete themselves in amongst long lists of fourth or fifth growth chateaux, rarely make appearances in en primeur offers or on merchant lists, and have the social skills of a badger caught in headlights. Or at least that's how it seems from the UK angle.

Chateau Pouget came to the Pouget family as an inheritance, the recipient being Francois-Antoine Pouget. The property subsequently passed to his daughter, Claire, who went on to marry Pierre-Antoine de Chavailles in 1771. The estate remained in the hands of the de Chavailles family for well over a century, their tenure including the trauma of the French Revolution in the late 18th Century, but also the classification of Pouget as a fourth growth in 1855.

Unlike many illustrious neighbours, there is no grand chateau at Pouget. Rather unusually the front section of the cellars have been converted into a house in the late 19th Century. Today it is in the ownership of Pierre Guillemet, who also owns Chateau Boyd-Cantenac.

The vines at Chateau Pouget cover 17 hectares of the Margaux appellation in all, sited on sandy gravels of the Quaternary era. The average age of the vines is 37 years, they are cultivated at a density of 10000 vines/ha, and comprise 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. There has never been heavy use of chemical treatments at Pouget, and management of pests would today most likely focus on natural methods. The grapes are hand-harvested, and undergo cement and stainless steel fermentation and maceration with pumping over. The degree of maceration of the grape solids depends on the vintage, and on the individual vat depending on whether it contains the fruit of young vines or old, but it may last up to 35 days. The wine may then spend up to eighteen months in oak, of which up to one half may be new each vintage. The resulting wine is bottled without filtration. The grand vin is Chateau Pouget, of which there are just 3000 cases per annum. There is also a second wine, Chateau La Tour Hassac, of which there are something in the order of 2000 cases per annum.

With no tasting experience of this uncommonly encountered property I was glad to encounter at least two vintages in late 2004. The style is full bodied, not quite rustic but certainly strong on colour and body. In this respect it is reminiscent of Chateau Boyd-Cantenac, which perhaps reflects common ownership of these two properties. Both the 2002 and 2003 comprise 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, eschewing the inclusion of Cabernet Franc despite its presence in the vineyard. (11/5/05)

Contact details:
Address: Chateau Pouget, 33460 Cantenac
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 57 88 90 82
Fax +33 (0) 5 57 88 30 58
Internet: www.chateau-pouget.com

Chateau Pouget - Tasting Notes

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2003

Chateau Pouget (Margaux) 2003: Excellent colour. Very primary nose, with some red fruits on the palate which hold a certain charm, although cut through with a medicinal note. Then it shows a little fat, with some black cherry. Low acidity, creamy and rounded through the midpalate, with some peppery character. Chocolate notes on the finish. Not as much concentration as you might expect from this vintage. But certainly a good wine. Needs 4-5 years 16+/20 (November 2004)

2002

Chateau Pouget (Margaux) 2002: Nutty oak aromas over a layer of fruit. Ripe and soft character on the palate, lacking a little concentration I think. Moderate weight, and it has balance. Actually develops a full, creamy feel through the midpalate. There is a little style here, although this is quite primary at present. Needs 3-4 years. 15.5+/20 (November 2004)