Château Petit-Village, Pomerol

Château Petit-Village is situated in the heart of Pomerol, next door to Vieux Château Certan and Château Le Pin. The estate has benefitted from significant investment in both the vineyards and the winery over the last two decades, particularly since being acquired by the Moulin family in 2020.

The estate’s 10.5 hectares of vines are planted with 75% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. They are located at the highest point of Pomerol on deep gravel soils made up of quartz and flint, layered over an iron-rich clay subsoil known as ‘crasse de fer’. These typically have better drainage than clay-based soils, making them warmer than other Pomerol sites and helping the vines achieve balance even in wet, cool years. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, with ‘Haute Valeur Environnementale’ certification, and are currently in the process of organic conversion. Cover crops are planted between vine rows to improve soil structure and boost biodiversity. Year-round, a dedicated team works to encourage lower yields and greater concentration in the grapes through careful pruning, leaf stripping and green harvesting.

Technical director Guillaume Frédoux heads up the winemaking team, working closely with famed consultants Stéphane Derenoncourt and Marielle Cazeaux. As in the vineyards, the winery has received significant investment, including the construction of a new barrel cellar, new fermentation vats, and the introduction of amphorae for ageing certain wines.

Château Petit-Village is made from a blend of 71% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc aged in oak barrels, of which 50% are new, for 15 months. From the 2020 vintage, the estate has added a new wine to their range, replacing ‘Le Jardin de Petit-Village’ with ‘Le Petit de Petit-Village’ as their second wine. ‘Le Petit de Petit-Village’ is more immediately approachable than the Grand Vin and intended for earlier drinking. It is made from 100% Merlot, sourced from 35-year-old vines, and aged for 16 months in a combination of new French oak barrels and amphorae. The result is a classic, fruit-forward expression brimming with plum and black cherry aromas on the nose, complemented by quintessentially plush Pomerol tannins.