Learn everything about Chateau Bouscaut, Pessac Leognan with wine tasting notes, and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles
Chateau Bouscaut History, Overview
The vineyards of what we know of as Chateau Bouscaut has existed since the 16th century. So you can see, the estate has a long history. During its formative years, the property was known as Haut Truchon. In 1929, the name was changed to Chateau Bouscaut.
In 1960, a fire destroyed the original chateau of Bouscaut. All that remained from the original structure of Chateau Bouscaut were the cellars.
Victor Place, the dedicated owner rebuilt the entire chateau to the exact original specifications. That was an amazing labor of love, especially when you consider that this took place during difficult economic times. In 1968, Victor Place sold Chateau Bouscaut to a group of investors from New York, who went under the name of Domaine Wohlstetter Sloan.
The new owners, who were not living in Pessac Leognan at the time, made a smart decision and hired the managers of Chateau Haut Brion, led by Jean Bernard Delmas, to help run Chateau Bouscaut. Lucien Lurton, a well-known Bordeaux vigneron who already owned at least ten other Bordeaux estates bought Chateau Bouscat in 1979.
Sophie Lurton, Lucien’s daughter, has been managing the estate since 2002. She is joined by her husband, Laurent Cogombles, who is the director in charge of winemaking.
Under the Lurton family ownership, Chateau Bouscaut has enjoyed continued improvements in the wine and in the winemaking. In 2010, they completed a renovation and modernization of the cellars. They also added to their holdings with the purchase of Chateau Lamothe Bouscaut.
Chateau Bouscaut Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 52-hectare vineyard of Chateau Bouscaut is the largest vineyard in the Cadaujac commune. At Chateau Bouscaut, 42-hectares of vines are reserved for red wine grape varieties. The vines are planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 7% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot for their red wine. This shows an increase in the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the vines. It is interesting to note a large amount of Malbec is planted here as well.
For the white wine grape varieties, 10 hectares of vines are planted to 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Semillon. This shows an increase in the amount of Sauvignon Blanc over the years. It is important to note they have some of the oldest Semillon vines in the appellation including a small parcel of ungrafted Semillon that is over 100 years of age!
Even though the vineyard is quite large, it is essentially one large parcel of vines. The terroir is gravel, clay, limestone, and sand soils on sloping hillsides. At their peak, the vineyards reach up to 34 meters.
On average, the vines are old, at close to 40 years of age. However, Chateau Bouscaut has some very old Semillon vines that are over 100 years of age! The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 7,200 vines per hectare. Picking varies for the red wine grapes, as the estate uses both machine harvesting and handpicking depending on the grape variety. The white wine grapes are always picked only by hand.
After receiving HVE3 certification in 2018, Chateau Bouscaut continues farming more of their vibes organically, with the goal of being 100% organic in the future.
To produce the red wine of Chateau Bouscaut, vinification takes place in a combination of temperature-controlled, traditional cement vats and stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats and barrels. The wine is aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels for 16 months.
To produce the white Bordeaux wine of Chateau Bouscaut, vinification of the Sauvignon Blanc takes place in used, French oak barrels. The Semillon is vinified in 40% new, French oak barrels. There is some skin contact allowed. There is no malolactic fermentation.
The white wines from each varietal are aged in their own barrels until the wine is blended before bottling. On average this is after between 10-12 months of barrel aging. The white wine is blended just before bottling.
On average, for Chateau Bouscaut, the production of the red wine is close to 16,000 cases per vintage and the white sees about 4,000 cases each year. There is a second wine for both the red and white wine, Les Chenes de Bouscaut. Here, even though much more red wine is produced, most of the time, white wine is usually their better wine.
The best vintages of Chateau Bouscaut are: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005 and 2000. However, it is important to note that there are years when the red wine is better than the white wine and vintages when the white wine is better than the red.
When to Drink Chateau Bouscaut, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau Bouscaut can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours, 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 Bouscaut is usually better with at least 5-7 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Bouscaut offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 9-17 years of age after the vintage.
Serving Chateau Bouscaut, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Chateau Bouscaut is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The red wine of Chateau Bouscaut is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.
Chateau Bouscaut Rouge is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.
The white wine of Chateau Bouscaut is a perfect wine to serve with shellfish, sashimi, sushi, all types of seafood, chicken, veal, and cheese.
Chateau Bouscaut also produces 2 other wines in the appellation, Chateau Valoux and Chateau Lamothe-Bouscaut from vines they own in the Pessac Leognan.
Château Bouscaut Wine Tasting Notes
31 Vintages 65,657 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
| 2020 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Tobacco leaf, plums, currants and cherries with a touch of licorice and smoke on the nose work well together in this medium-bodied, soft, silky charmer. Fresh, forward, fun and fruity, this elegant beauty will be easy to like on release and will improve from there for at least 15 years. 90-92 Pts 807 Views Tasted May 20, 2021 |
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| 2020 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Sweet, yellow citrus, flowers, green apples, a touch of honeysuckle with spice is found on the nose and in the creamy, sweet, citrus filled palate. You can enjoy this on release. 90 Pts 829 Views Tasted May 20, 2021 |
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| 2019 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Elegant, medium-bodied wine with an earthy, tobacco leaf, dark red berry filled nose. Soft textured, silky and refined, with a touch of Asian spice, give this 4-5 years to develop additional complexities before popping a cork. 90-92 Pts 2,654 Views Tasted Jun 28, 2020 |
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| 2019 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Lemon wax, honeysuckle and flowers, coupled with ripe, juicy citrus taste, smell and feel fresh and lifted. 91 Pts 1,632 Views Tasted Jun 8, 2020 |
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| 2019 | Château Bouscaut Les Chenes de Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Nice second wine with a smoky, tobacco and red fruit palate. Medium-bodied with a soft, light, olive tinged finish, drink this now while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. 86-88 Pts 1,385 Views Tasted Jun 8, 2020 |
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| 2019 | Château Bouscaut Les Chenes de Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Juicy, fresh, bright, white Bordeaux wine with a forward yellow citrus charm. 86 Pts 2,240 Views Tasted Jun 8, 2020 |
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| 2018 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Soft, refined, medium-bodied, elegant, forward styled wine with silky tannins and a spicy, dark cherry filled palate. Give this 4-5 years to develop additional complexities before popping a cork. This is showing much more depth in bottle than it displayed in barrel. 92 Points 545 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021 |
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| 2018 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Creamy, sweet, juicy and lush with layers of ripe Meyer lemons, tropical fruits, pears and spice. It is rich, lively and offers ample lift all the way to the sweet, fruit filled finish. 92 Points 502 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021 |
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| 2018 | Château Bouscaut Les Chenes de Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Forward, medium-bodied, light, soft, elegant, easy drinking, smoky, cherry filled wine for early drinking consumption. 86 Points 450 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021 |
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| 2018 | Château Bouscaut Les Chenes de Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Light, easy drinking, yellow citrus dominated early drinker. This is perfect for uncomplicated summer drinking around the pool while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. 85 Points 466 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021 |
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| 2017 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Fresh, crisp, vibrant blend of green apples, lemon, grapefruit and flowers with just a dab of honey hits the spot right now. 90 Points 2,056 Views Tasted Jul 29, 2020 |
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| 2017 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Salty red fruits, tobacco and underbrush define the medium-bodied character. The fruit is crisp and spicy and a few years will no doubt help soften the wine. 87 Points 1,637 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2018 |
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| 2016 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Fresh ripe and juicy, the wine is already displaying its just-squeezed, ripe, zesty, citrus, floral, green apple and honeysuckle character. 92 Points 1,301 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019Richly textured, full bodied, and showing off its floral, honeysuckle and just squeezed citrus character with ease, this should show well on release. 92 Points 2,269 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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| 2016 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Medium bodied, ripe, round and with the fruit and structure to age, the wine offers dark cherries, espresso and smoke filled notes. 90 Points 2,602 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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| 2015 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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The sweet citrus notes really sing out here. The honeysuckle adds to the complexity. The wine is rich, fresh and long. 91 Points 2,159 Views Tasted May 21, 2018Fresh lemons, lime and grapefruit on the nose, medium bodied, with a refreshing pomelo finish. 90 Pts 1,373 Views Tasted Apr 23, 2016 |
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| 2015 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Tobacco, cigar wrapper, wet earth and red fruits lead off the wine. On the palate, the wine is soft, medium bodied, forward and finishes with smoky fruit and a hint of dust in the tannins. You can drink this elegant wine young or age it. 90 Points 1,993 Views Tasted May 21, 2018Ripe, earthy plums and red cherries add an interesting dimension to the tobacco character found in this softly textured, early drinking wine. 87 - 89 Pts 2,062 Views Tasted Apr 23, 2016 |
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| 2014 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Bright, sweet, fresh and lightly honeyed, with a floral charm, to go along with its sweet, bright citrus, this will drink well young. 90 Points 2,131 Views Tasted Feb 6, 2017 |
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| 2014 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Lighter style of Pessac Leognan, with a bright, crisp, red fruit center, some, smoke, fruit and tobacco, this will be best in its first decade of life. 88 Points 2,528 Views Tasted Feb 6, 2017 |
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| 2013 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Ready to go with its lighter style of bright, crisp, fresh yellow citrus. Pleasant, but not overly complex. This is not a wine for much more aging. 88 Points 1,312 Views Tasted Aug 24, 2020 |
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| 2013 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Spicy light berries with a hint of mocha are at the core of this nice—but simple—value-priced Bordeaux wine. 83-85 Pts 1,757 Views Tasted Apr 21, 2014 |
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| 2012 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Fresh lemons, lime and grapefruit on the nose, medium bodied, with a refreshing Pomelo finish. 90 Points 1,155 Views Tasted May 25, 2016Fresh citrus and grapefruit on the nose, medium bodied, with a light, fresh and refreshing Pomello and vanilla finish. 87 Points 1,768 Views Tasted Mar 11, 2015 |
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| 2012 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Light in color, with a focus on fresh, bright red fresh in a forward, early drinking, uncomplicated style. 87 Points 2,953 Views Tasted Mar 11, 2015Light in style, the smoky black raspberries and soft, easy style make this a nice, crowd-pleasing style of wine. 87-89 Pts 2,457 Views Tasted Apr 25, 2013 |
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| 2011 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Fully ready to go with all its soft, creamy lemon, tart green apple, floral and honey topped nuances. Not very dense, but quite nice. 90 Points 2,128 Views Tasted Mar 29, 2021 |
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| 2011 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Cassis, cranberry and espresso bean open to medium body, soft textures and a bright finish. 86-89 Pts 1,958 Views Tasted Apr 25, 2012 |
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| 2010 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Light in the nose and body, with some red berries, spice, coffee bean and a soft textured, oaky finish. 85 Points 3,578 Views Tasted Feb 15, 2013Bouscaut - Smoke, earth, burnt wood and blackberry scents , this medium bodied wine ends with an earthy, four square finish. 87-89 Pts 2,298 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2011 |
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| 2009 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Definitely ready for prime time drinking, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, refined, smoky and displays its earthy cherries and tobacco nuances with ease. Soft and round on the palate, the finish offers earthy bright red fruits, leaf and tobacco wrapper sensations in the finish. This has developed quite nicely. 90 Points 1,474 Views Tasted Sep 4, 2020 |
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| 2009 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Golden yellow in color, the wine offers a honeysuckle and citrus character, with a bite of green apple in the finish. Fully mature, the wine requires drinking. 87 Points 749 Views Tasted Sep 20, 2019 |
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| 2008 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Medium bodied and on the fresh, light, spicy red berry side of the style range, the wine delivers a bright, sweet and tart red berry finish. This is close to fully developed. 87 Points 2,188 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018 |
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| 2008 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Golden yellow in color, the nose offers orange, honey and light, citrus notes. Fully mature, the fruit is starting to fade, still, you find enough, sweet, yellow fruits and tart apple to keep you busy. 87 Points 1,418 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018 |
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| 2006 | Château Bouscaut (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Light, bright, and more tart than sweet red fruit on the palate, the wine is better on the smoky, earthy, leafy, red plum nose than on the palate. This is at, or past full maturity and should be drunk up over the next few years before it fades much further. 83 Points 2,808 Views Tasted Dec 10, 2018 |
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| 2005 | Château Bouscaut Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) | |
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Fully mature, but with some life left, as the grapefruits and assorted, mostly yellow, citrus fruits remain fresh. There is a touch of honey and floral aromatics that add nuance to the wine. 90 Points 2,035 Views Tasted Dec 11, 2017 |
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