Château Olivier is an estate winery in Léognan in the Pessac-Léognan AOC on the left bank of the Bordeaux region. The moated fortressdates from the 11th century and is perhaps the finest looking building in this part of the Graves. It was the hunting relay of the Black Prince (who lived in Bordeaux from 1362–1375). Later it was the house of Marie Lassere, grand mother of Montesquieu.

Owner: JJ de Bethmann. Until 1981 the de Bethmann family left the management of the estate to the shippers, Louis Eschenauer & Co.

Staff: The late Denis Dubourdieu consulted for white wine, with Guy Guimberteau consulting on reds.

Vineyards: A high proportion of sand mixed in with the gravel. Cabernet Sauvignon (51%) and Merlot (41%), along with Sémillon (50%) Sauvignon Blanc (44%) and Muscadelle (6%) were planted from the early to mid-seventies (17.04 ha).

Viticulture: From 1989 the white wine vineyard has no longer been weedkilled. Initially ploughing was difficult because the vines had such shallow roots.

Wines

Pessac-Léognan Blanc AOC, Château Olivier: 1995 60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc

Pessac-Léognan Rouge AOC, Château Olivier: 1995 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot

Pessac-Léognan Rouge AOC, Réserve JJ de Bethmann: Second wine

Contact

Château Olivier, 175 avenue de Bordeaux, F-33850 Léognan, France

Tel+33 (0)5.56.64.73.31 | www.chateau-olivier.com