Chateau Preuillac, Medoc, Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Preuillac Medoc, with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, and information on vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Preuillac History, Overview

The history of Chateau Preuillac begins in the early 1800s. The vineyard was fully established by 1869 when it was owned by the Laloubie family before it was sold to Edmund Adde. It was under the ownership of the Adde family that the vineyard was revitalized. However, the modern era of Chateau Preuillac is actually quite recent. While the estate has been producing wine for more than 200 years, the chateau was only built in about 1975 by the Bouet family, who were the owners of the estate at the time.

When the Bouet family purchased Chateau Preuillac in 1969, it was in quite a dilapidated shape. Not only did they build a new chateau, they also renovated the vineyards and wine-making facilities before selling the property in 1998.

The vineyard was sold to a partnership headed by the Mau family, (who also own a large negociant company as well as Chateau Brown in Pessac Leognan) and the Dirkzwager family. The Dirkzwager family is well known for their Dutch distilleries.

Even though the estate was renovated only 20 years earlier, Chateau Preuillac was again updated in the vineyards and winemaking facilities after the new owners took control of the Left Bank estate.

In late 2014, it was announced that Chateau Preuillac was sold to an investment group, headed by the Chinese investor Gen-Xiong Li, who agreed to retain the previous owner, Jonathan Mau as a consultant for at least one year.

Chateau Preuillac Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

Chateau Preuillac occupies 42 hectares of land with 26 hectares under vine. The vineyard is planted to 53% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remaining 2% is planted to Cabernet Franc. The vineyards of Chateau Preuillac are located in the cooler climate area of the northern Medoc, above the St. Estephe appellation, not too far from Chateau Potensac.

The terroir of Chateau Preuillac is a mix of gravel, sand, clay, and limestone soils. On average the vines are 35 years of age.

The wine of Chateau Preuillac is whole berry fermented in large, 180 hectoliter wood vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of wood vat and 15% French, oak barrels. The wine is aged on its lees in 33% new, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months prior to bottling. The average annual production of Chateau Preuillac is 8,000 cases per year. There is a second wine, Le Preuil.

The best vintages of Chateau Preuillac are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

They also produce a limited production, high-end Cuvee of Chateau Preuillac, Emotion de Chateau Preuillac, which is produced from a specific, vineyard parcel selection. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in 100% new, French oak barrels and is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels.

Emotion de Chateau Preuillac is only made in the best vintages. So far the wine has only been produced in 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2010. The production is quite small. In fact, the production averages between a scant 100 to at most, 200 cases of wine. Stephane Derenoncourt is the consultant.

When to Drink Chateau Preuillac, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Preuillac can decanted for an average of 1 hour, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Preuillac is usually better with at least 2-4 years of bottle age.

Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Preuillac offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-9 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau Preuillac with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Preuillac is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau Preuillac is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Preuillac is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

www.chateau-preuillac.com

Château Preuillac Wine Tasting Notes

10 Vintages 25,626 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2021
90
Crisp, fresh, bright red fruits with a savory edge are the heart and soul of this early-drinking, medium-bodied wine. The finish is firm, fresh and minty. Drink from 2023-2032.

Crisp, fresh, bright red fruits with a savory edge are the heart and soul of this early-drinking, medium-bodied wine. The finish is firm, fresh and minty. Drink from 2023-2032.

162 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, fresh and bright with a core of red currants, touches of cigar wrapper and tobacco leaf on the nose and in the chewy, crisp finish. Drink from 2023-2033. 88-90

Medium-bodied, fresh and bright with a core of red currants, touches of cigar wrapper and tobacco leaf on the nose and in the chewy, crisp finish. Drink from 2023-2033. 88-90

1,496 Views   Tasted
2020
91
Tobacco leaf, cedar, red fruits, cigar wrapper and flowers open the wine in the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, polished and fresh, there is a nice lift to the sweet, red fruits with a hint of spearmint and cocoa in the endnote. You can drink this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2023-2036.

Tobacco leaf, cedar, red fruits, cigar wrapper and flowers open the wine in the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, polished and fresh, there is a nice lift to the sweet, red fruits with a hint of spearmint and cocoa in the endnote. You can drink this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2023-2036.

1,059 Views   Tasted
Lots of tobacco and cigar box to accompany the peppery red berries. Medium-bodied, fresh and vigorous, the finish is sweet, round and fruity. 89-91 Pts

Lots of tobacco and cigar box to accompany the peppery red berries. Medium-bodied, fresh and vigorous, the finish is sweet, round and fruity. 89-91 Pts

1,679 Views   Tasted
2018
90
A light touch of espresso, cigar box, earth, cedar, tobacco and red fruit pop up with ease. Soft, round and a bit creamy, this is a fine example of what can be made in a good vintage in the Medoc. Give it a few years to develop and it will be even better.

A light touch of espresso, cigar box, earth, cedar, tobacco and red fruit pop up with ease. Soft, round and a bit creamy, this is a fine example of what can be made in a good vintage in the Medoc. Give it a few years to develop and it will be even better.

1,099 Views   Tasted
The red fruits here, pair perfectly with the earth cigar box and leafy accents. Medium bodied, forward and with espresso and dark red fruits in the finish, you can enjoy this early, or give it a few years to develop. 88-90 Pts

The red fruits here, pair perfectly with the earth cigar box and leafy accents. Medium bodied, forward and with espresso and dark red fruits in the finish, you can enjoy this early, or give it a few years to develop. 88-90 Pts

1,575 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Ripe, round, lush and forward, with a fruit filled concentrated character that allows the tobacco and cigar box accents to come through.

Ripe, round, lush and forward, with a fruit filled concentrated character that allows the tobacco and cigar box accents to come through.

1,275 Views   Tasted
Forward, easy-drinking, earthy, dark fruits and spice with medium body and close to achieving round textures.

Forward, easy-drinking, earthy, dark fruits and spice with medium body and close to achieving round textures.

1,901 Views   Tasted
2015
84
Medium bodied with an earthy herbal and red berry character this is best suited for early drinking 83 - 85 Pts

Medium bodied with an earthy herbal and red berry character this is best suited for early drinking 83 - 85 Pts

1,922 Views   Tasted
2014
85
Forward, early drinker with light, crisp, red berries, herbs and earth in its profile.

Forward, early drinker with light, crisp, red berries, herbs and earth in its profile.

1,616 Views   Tasted
2013
84
Tobacco, earth and blackberry in character, the wine is perfect for restaurants and uncomplicated drinking. 83-85 Pts

Tobacco, earth and blackberry in character, the wine is perfect for restaurants and uncomplicated drinking. 83-85 Pts

2,417 Views   Tasted
2012
86
Medium bodied, with licorice, coffee and cherry sensations, this will be at its best in its youth. 85-87 Pts

Medium bodied, with licorice, coffee and cherry sensations, this will be at its best in its youth. 85-87 Pts

3,668 Views   Tasted
2010
90
Another solid example of a Bordeaux value wine. Produced with help with Stephane Derenoncourt, this forward styled, plush wine offers black cherries, licorice and the right amount of oak with polished tannins. This ready to drink wine was made from a blend of 53% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Another solid example of a Bordeaux value wine. Produced with help with Stephane Derenoncourt, this forward styled, plush wine offers black cherries, licorice and the right amount of oak with polished tannins. This ready to drink wine was made from a blend of 53% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc.

3,161 Views   Tasted
2009
89
Forward, open, supple, modern in style, this Merlot dominated Bordeaux value wine delivers ripe, sweet fruits, round tannins, licorice, coffee bean and a supple textured, easy to drink finish. I'd drink this on the young side.

Forward, open, supple, modern in style, this Merlot dominated Bordeaux value wine delivers ripe, sweet fruits, round tannins, licorice, coffee bean and a supple textured, easy to drink finish. I'd drink this on the young side.

2,596 Views   Tasted