Pauillac
Bordeaux's most prestigious communal appellation, home to three First Growths and producing powerful, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines
Permitted Varieties
Key Regulatory Constraints
- Red wines only for AOC
- Minimum 10.5% alcohol
- Maximum yield 45 hL/ha
- Cabernet Sauvignon typically dominates blends
Pauillac AOC
Overview
Pauillac stands as the pinnacle of Bordeaux winemaking, the only commune in the Médoc to boast three of the five 1855 First Growths: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild. The appellation produces wines of remarkable power, structure, and longevity, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon planted on deep gravel soils. Pauillac represents the archetype of Left Bank Bordeaux—firm tannins, cassis and cedar aromatics, and extraordinary aging potential measured in decades. For enologists, Pauillac offers the ultimate study in Cabernet Sauvignon cultivation, gravel terroir, and the production of world-class age-worthy wines.
Geographical Context
Location and Boundaries
Position: Northern Haut-Médoc; between Saint-Julien (south) and Saint-Estèphe (north)
Distance to Bordeaux: 50 km north
Gironde Estuary: Eastern boundary; maritime influence
Vineyard Area: ~1,200 hectares
Terroir Division
Two Plateaus:
- Northern Plateau: Lafite, Mouton territory
- Southern Plateau: Latour, Pichon territory
Quality Continuity: Less variation than some communes; consistent excellence
Climate
Classification: Oceanic; Gironde moderation
Maritime Influence: Estuary regulates temperature
Growing Season: Moderate; even ripening
Rainfall: 800-900 mm annually
Frost Risk: Low (estuary protection)
Harvest: October typically
Soils
Deep Gravel: Pauillac’s signature terroir
Composition:
- Quaternary gravel deposits
- Deep, well-drained
- Low fertility
- Excellent heat retention
Origin: Günz glaciation deposits from Pyrenees
Quality Factor: Deeper gravel = finest wines
Subsoil: Clay, limestone, iron-rich layers
The 1855 Classification
First Growths (3 of 5 total)
Château Lafite Rothschild:
- Northern Pauillac
- Elegance, finesse
- Often finest aged expression
Château Latour:
- Southern Pauillac (Saint-Julien border)
- Power, longevity
- Deep gravel over clay
Château Mouton Rothschild:
- Northern Pauillac
- Promoted 1973 (originally Second Growth)
- Opulent, powerful
Second Growths (2)
Château Pichon Longueville Baron Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Fifth Growths (12)
Including: Lynch-Bages, Lynch-Moussas, Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pontet-Canet, Batailley, Haut-Batailley, Croizet-Bages, Pédesclaux, Clerc Milon, d’Armailhac, Haut-Bages Libéral
Other Notable Estates
Cru Bourgeois: Several quality estates
Unclassified: Smaller properties
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon (Dominant)
Share: 60-85% of blends typically
Role:
- Structure and tannin
- Cassis, blackcurrant
- Cedar, graphite
- Longevity framework
Pauillac Character: Highest Cabernet percentage of any commune
Merlot
Share: 15-30% typically
Role:
- Flesh and roundness
- Softening effect
- Plum fruit
Usage: Higher in certain vintages; balancing
Cabernet Franc
Share: 0-10% typically
Role:
- Aromatic complexity
- Freshness
- Herbal notes
Petit Verdot
Share: 0-5% typically
Role:
- Color and spice
- Structure
- Small addition when ripe
Wine Character
Classic Pauillac Profile
Aromatics:
- Cassis, blackcurrant
- Cedar, pencil shavings
- Graphite, mineral
- Tobacco, cigar box (aged)
- Dark chocolate
Palate:
- Full-bodied
- Firm tannins
- Structured
- Long finish
- Age-worthy
Style Variations
Northern Pauillac (Lafite, Mouton):
- Slightly lighter gravel
- More elegance, finesse
- Perfumed character
Southern Pauillac (Latour, Pichons):
- Deeper gravel
- More power, structure
- Greater concentration
Aging Trajectory
Young (0-5 years): Tight, tannic, primary fruit
Developing (5-15 years): Opening; complexity emerging
Mature (15-30 years): Peak; cedar, tobacco, integrated
Old (30-50+ years): Tertiary; ethereal complexity
Longevity: Top wines age 50-100+ years
Key Producers
First Growths
Château Lafite Rothschild:
- Elegance benchmark
- Refined, perfumed
- Second wine: Carruades de Lafite
Château Latour:
- Power and longevity
- Massive wines
- Second wine: Les Forts de Latour
Château Mouton Rothschild:
- Opulent, rich
- Artist labels
- Second wine: Petit Mouton
Super-Seconds
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande:
- Feminine elegance
- Higher Merlot percentage
Château Pichon Longueville Baron:
- Masculine power
- Pure Pauillac style
Quality Fifth Growths
Château Lynch-Bages: Over-performing; cult status
Château Pontet-Canet: Biodynamic; exceptional recent vintages
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste: Traditional; consistent
Château Clerc Milon: Mouton ownership; quality focus
Technical Considerations
Viticulture
Density: 8,000-10,000 vines/ha
Training: Guyot double; traditional
Yield Limits: 45 hL/ha maximum
Green Harvest: Common at top estates
Harvest: Hand harvest at classified growths
Winemaking
Sorting: Multiple selections
Fermentation: Temperature-controlled; stainless/concrete
Extraction: Extended maceration (2-4 weeks)
Malolactic: Often in barrel
Oak: New French oak (50-100%)
Aging: 18-24 months typically
Quality Factors
Selection: Strict lot selection for grand vin
Second Wines: Substantial volume declassified
Investment: Significant capital in vineyards and cellars
Vintage Variation
Recent Outstanding Vintages
2022: Excellent; concentrated; early promise
2020: Exceptional; pandemic vintage; quality focus
2019: Classic; elegant; balanced
2018: Rich; powerful; generous
2016: Outstanding; long-aging potential
2015: Excellent; accessible; charming
2010: Great; structured; long-term
2009: Opulent; rich; hedonistic
Challenging Vintages
Weather Risk: Rain at harvest; rot pressure
Management: Top estates mitigate through selection
Market Dynamics
Pricing
| Level | Price Range (€) |
|---|---|
| Pauillac AOC (generic) | €25-50 |
| Cru Bourgeois | €30-60 |
| Fifth Growths | €50-150 |
| Super-Seconds | €150-400 |
| First Growths | €400-1,500+ |
Investment Grade
First Growths: Auction market; collector demand
Top Fifth Growths: Lynch-Bages, Pontet-Canet cult status
En Primeur: Major campaign wines
Secondary Market
Mature Vintages: Active auction presence
Storage: Provenance critical for value
Sustainability
Organic/Biodynamic
Château Pontet-Canet: Biodynamic pioneer among classified growths
Others: Increasing interest; conversion underway
Environmental Initiatives
Biodiversity: Cover crops; hedgerows
Carbon: Reduction programs
Water: Efficiency measures
Food Pairing
Classic Matches
Lamb: Roast leg of lamb (regional classic)
Beef: Ribeye, filet mignon
Game: Duck, venison
Cheese: Aged hard cheeses
Service
Temperature: 16-18°C
Decanting: Young wines: 2-4 hours; mature: 30-60 minutes
Glassware: Large Bordeaux glass
Conclusion
Pauillac represents the apex of Bordeaux winemaking—a commune where three First Growths, numerous other classified estates, and exceptional terroir combine to produce wines of legendary quality and longevity. For enologists, Pauillac offers essential study in Cabernet Sauvignon cultivation, gravel terroir expression, and the production of wines designed for decades of aging. The combination of deep gravel soils, maritime climate, and generations of viticultural expertise creates wines that define the Left Bank Bordeaux archetype: powerful, structured, and remarkably long-lived.
Last updated: January 2026