Château Poujeaux is one of Bordeaux’s great insider wines. Unclassified in 1855, it nevertheless performs at the level of a 3rd or 4th growth. It’s reliable even in tough vintages, especially those afflicted by excessive... Read More

Château Poujeaux is one of Bordeaux’s great insider wines. Unclassified in 1855, it nevertheless performs at the level of a 3rd or 4th growth. It’s reliable even in tough vintages, especially those afflicted by excessive rain. While a good deal more supple in youth than many of the top wines of the Left Bank, Poujeaux also ages splendidly for decades.

So why is it still an insider wine? Blame it on geography. Poujeaux hails from Moulis, an inland AOC tucked behind the Médoc’s more famous, gravel-rich appellations located nearer to the Gironde. As you move in from the estuary, the soils become sandier and flatter – not ideal for making great Bordeaux.

Moulis’ secret, however, is that it’s one of the few inland areas of the Médoc to boast deep gravelly soils, as well as a little elevation. This combination is crucial to growing healthy, fully ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. Not all of Moulis enjoys this superior terroir, but Château Poujeaux does, and it’s probably why it’s generally considered to be the appellation's greatest estate.