Chateau Lespault Martillac Pessac Leognan Complete Guide

Olivier_Bernard Lespault Martillac

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

Chateau Lespault Martillac History, Overview

While what we know of as Chateau Lespault Martillac has a long history, dating back to the days of the ancient Romans, the modern era for Chateau Lespault-Martillac began in 2009, when the owner of the property, Jean Claude Bolleau, entered into a long term, leasing contract with Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier.

This agreement allowed for Olivier Bernard to manage the estate, make and sell the wines. Prior to this arrangement, the Kressman family, who owns the neighboring Chateau La-Tour-Martillac were in charge of producing and selling the wines of Chateau Lespault-Martillac under a lease agreement that first took place in 1973.

This is the second leasing agreement Olivier Bernard has entered into. Oliver Bernard has a similar arrangement for Domaine de la Solitude which is also located in the Pessac Leognan appellation.

Chateau Lespault Martillac Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 10-hectare vineyard of Chateau Lespault-Martillac is planted for the production of both red and white Bordeaux wine. 9 hectares of vines are planted to 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec for the red wine.

1 hectare of vines has been reserved for the production of dry white Bordeaux wine and those vines are planted to 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon.

The vineyard of Chateau Lespault-Martillac has a terroir of gravel and clay soil. Since the vineyard management has been taken over by Olivier Bernard, only organic vineyard farming techniques are being used in the vineyards today. Lespault-Martillac was certified 100% biodynamic in 2023 for white wine and in 2024 for their red wines.

To produce the red wine of Chateau Lespault-Martillac, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks that range in size from 60 hectoliters to 80 hectoliter tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks. The wine is aged on its lees for the first 5 months of the aging, for a total of 14-15 months in new and used French oak barrels before bottling.

For the production of the white Bordeaux wine of Chateau Lespault-Martillac, the grapes are crushed using a pneumatic press. There is no skin contact. The wine is micro-vinified, meaning that it is entirely fermented in French oak barrels. To add richness, the wine remains on its fine less and is stirred.

There is no malolactic fermentation. The white wine is aged for an average of 10 months before bottling. The wines of Chateau Lespault-Martillac are produced by the same technical team that makes the wine of Domaine de Chevalier.

On average, the production for the red wine of Chateau Lespault-Martillac is 2,000 cases. For the white wine of Chateau Lespault-Martillac, not much is made. Only 250 cases are produced each year.

While both the red and white wine here is fine, the white wine is really quite good, and even though not much is made, it’s worth seeking it out. So far, I like the white wine better than the red. It’s just a great and surprisingly, fairly priced, white Bordeaux wine.

The Best Vintages of Chateau Lespault Martillac are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010 and 2009. Although it is important to note that vintages can vary as to their quality between the white wine and the reds as in some years, the reds are markedly better and in other vintages the whites are superior.

When to Drink Chateau Lespault-Martillac, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Lespault-Martillac can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be 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 Lespault-Martillac is usually better with at least 3-5 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Lespault-Martillac offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-16 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Lespault Martillac, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Lespault Martillac 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 Lespault Martillac is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Lespault Martillac is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese. The white wine of Chateau Lespault Martillac is a perfect wine to serve with shellfish, sashimi, sushi, all types of seafood, chicken, veal, and cheese.

www.lespault-martillac.com

Château Lespault Martillac Wine Tasting Notes

21 Vintages 53,969 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
93
White peach, pineapple, mango, lemon rind, and orange pith nuances take only a single swirl to uncover. The palate is fruity, sweet, energetic and open, so you can enjoy all of its sweet, yellow, and orange citrus notes on release. The wine blends 70%, old vine, Sauvignon Blanc with 30% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2032. 93-93 Pts.

White peach, pineapple, mango, lemon rind, and orange pith nuances take only a single swirl to uncover. The palate is fruity, sweet, energetic and open, so you can enjoy all of its sweet, yellow, and orange citrus notes on release. The wine blends 70%, old vine, Sauvignon Blanc with 30% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2032. 93-93 Pts.

1,852 Views   Tasted
2022
92
Tobacco leaves, cedar, black cherries, smoke, and spice are what you find in the nose. The palate enjoys loads of soft, sweet, ripe, dark pit fruits with polish, lift, round, soft fruits on the mid-palate, and in the fruity finish, with a touch of cocoa in the endnotes. The wine blends 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2025-2037. 91-93 Pts.

Tobacco leaves, cedar, black cherries, smoke, and spice are what you find in the nose. The palate enjoys loads of soft, sweet, ripe, dark pit fruits with polish, lift, round, soft fruits on the mid-palate, and in the fruity finish, with a touch of cocoa in the endnotes. The wine blends 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2025-2037. 91-93 Pts.

2,031 Views   Tasted
2021
92
Flowers, espresso, cocoa, cherries and spearmint aromatics get the wine moving in the nose. The medium-bodied, fresh palate is even better with all of its soft, polished, sweet, red cherries, black plums, and vibrant black raspberries. This has really improved after its barrel aging. Drink from 2024-2035.

Flowers, espresso, cocoa, cherries and spearmint aromatics get the wine moving in the nose. The medium-bodied, fresh palate is even better with all of its soft, polished, sweet, red cherries, black plums, and vibrant black raspberries. This has really improved after its barrel aging. Drink from 2024-2035.

131 Views   Tasted
Currants and black cherries, smoke, and tobacco leaf on the nose is what you notice before you find all the soft, bright, savory, earthy, leafy and olive tinted red pit fruits on the chewy palate. Drink from 2023-2029. 88-90

Currants and black cherries, smoke, and tobacco leaf on the nose is what you notice before you find all the soft, bright, savory, earthy, leafy and olive tinted red pit fruits on the chewy palate. Drink from 2023-2029. 88-90

1,390 Views   Tasted
2021
92
Flowers, lemon rind, orange blossom, green apples and spice create the nose. Fresh, creamy, fruity, juicy and lively, with a blast of green apples, pink grapefruit, tangerine and yellow citrus on your palate that hit everything just right. The wine blends 65% Sauvignon Blanc with 35% Semillon. Drink from 2023-2030. 92-92

Flowers, lemon rind, orange blossom, green apples and spice create the nose. Fresh, creamy, fruity, juicy and lively, with a blast of green apples, pink grapefruit, tangerine and yellow citrus on your palate that hit everything just right. The wine blends 65% Sauvignon Blanc with 35% Semillon. Drink from 2023-2030. 92-92

1,529 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Even better in the bottle than it was in barrel, the wine opens with dried flowers, powdered chocolate, roses, smoke, spice and red fruits with a touch of citrus in the nose. On the palate, the wine is lush, soft and fresh, with layers of ripe, polished fruits, cocoa, licorice and espresso on the mid-palate and in the fruit-filled finish. Drink from 2023-2038.

Even better in the bottle than it was in barrel, the wine opens with dried flowers, powdered chocolate, roses, smoke, spice and red fruits with a touch of citrus in the nose. On the palate, the wine is lush, soft and fresh, with layers of ripe, polished fruits, cocoa, licorice and espresso on the mid-palate and in the fruit-filled finish. Drink from 2023-2038.

1,205 Views   Tasted
Tobacco leaf, smoke, black currants and plums open the nose. On the palate the wine is polished, round and soft, with round tannins and layers of sweet, juicy, savory, dark red fruits in the medium-bodied, fresh finish. 91-93 Pts

Tobacco leaf, smoke, black currants and plums open the nose. On the palate the wine is polished, round and soft, with round tannins and layers of sweet, juicy, savory, dark red fruits in the medium-bodied, fresh finish. 91-93 Pts

2,308 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Mildly, honeyed lemons, lime, mango, spice and flowers create the character here. On the palate, the wine is creamy, fresh and fruity with a juicy, finish that shows off its green apples, yellow citrus, and oily-textured pears easily. Drink from 2023-2031.

Mildly, honeyed lemons, lime, mango, spice and flowers create the character here. On the palate, the wine is creamy, fresh and fruity with a juicy, finish that shows off its green apples, yellow citrus, and oily-textured pears easily. Drink from 2023-2031.

1,190 Views   Tasted
Rich, creamy, fresh and juicy, with layers of ripe pears, green apples, yellow citrus, and a touch of honey in the green apple and lemon oil finish. 92 Pts

Rich, creamy, fresh and juicy, with layers of ripe pears, green apples, yellow citrus, and a touch of honey in the green apple and lemon oil finish. 92 Pts

2,141 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Elegant, soft, polished and fresh, the wine offers up its array of smoke, coffee bean, flowers, and sweet cherries easily on the nose. On the palate, the wine is loaded with sweet, juicy, ripe, red berries and spice. The refined finish with its creamy, soft tannins and freshness hits the spot. You can drink this just about on release, or age for a few years. Drink from 2024-2034.

Elegant, soft, polished and fresh, the wine offers up its array of smoke, coffee bean, flowers, and sweet cherries easily on the nose. On the palate, the wine is loaded with sweet, juicy, ripe, red berries and spice. The refined finish with its creamy, soft tannins and freshness hits the spot. You can drink this just about on release, or age for a few years. Drink from 2024-2034.

1,654 Views   Tasted
Flowers and cherry tones with just a bit of smoky essence on the nose work perfectly with the fresh, sweet, ripe, juicy red fruits on the medium-bodied palate, and in the elegant, lifted finish. You can drink this just about on release, or age for 5-7 years for more complexity. 91-93 Pts

Flowers and cherry tones with just a bit of smoky essence on the nose work perfectly with the fresh, sweet, ripe, juicy red fruits on the medium-bodied palate, and in the elegant, lifted finish. You can drink this just about on release, or age for 5-7 years for more complexity. 91-93 Pts

2,611 Views   Tasted
2019
91
Flowers, a touch of pepper, orange, vanilla, leafy herbs and yellow citrus shine with ease on the nose and fruity, slightly creamy palate. Drink from 2022-2027.

Flowers, a touch of pepper, orange, vanilla, leafy herbs and yellow citrus shine with ease on the nose and fruity, slightly creamy palate. Drink from 2022-2027.

1,098 Views   Tasted
Honeysuckle, orange blossom, white peach, pear and citrus rind are all over the place in this delicious, fresh, refreshing, lush, ready-to-go white Bordeaux wine. 92 Pts

Honeysuckle, orange blossom, white peach, pear and citrus rind are all over the place in this delicious, fresh, refreshing, lush, ready-to-go white Bordeaux wine. 92 Pts

3,048 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Elegant, silky and sweet, the wine is medium-bodied with layers of ripe, juicy, fresh currants, flowers, plums, tobacco leaf and savor herbs on the palate and in the refined, energetic, polished finish. This is going to be great on release.

Elegant, silky and sweet, the wine is medium-bodied with layers of ripe, juicy, fresh currants, flowers, plums, tobacco leaf and savor herbs on the palate and in the refined, energetic, polished finish. This is going to be great on release.

1,567 Views   Tasted
Dark ruby in hue, the wine shows much more lush qualities than usual. Round, supple, deep and fresh, the fruit is dark, silky and pure with elegance and zip in the fruity finish. This is going to be great on release! 91-93 Pts

Dark ruby in hue, the wine shows much more lush qualities than usual. Round, supple, deep and fresh, the fruit is dark, silky and pure with elegance and zip in the fruity finish. This is going to be great on release! 91-93 Pts

2,018 Views   Tasted
2018
92
The fresh squeezed citrus here, that mixes lemon and lime hits all the right notes. On the palate the wine is juicy, sweet, fresh and creamy, leaving you with green apple, a dollop of honey just squeezed lemons.

The fresh squeezed citrus here, that mixes lemon and lime hits all the right notes. On the palate the wine is juicy, sweet, fresh and creamy, leaving you with green apple, a dollop of honey just squeezed lemons.

1,184 Views   Tasted
Juicy just squeezed lemon, lime and green apple have a real pop on the palate and in the finish.

Juicy just squeezed lemon, lime and green apple have a real pop on the palate and in the finish.

3,761 Views   Tasted
2017
91
A dollop of honey, a squeeze of citrus and a tinge of tangy that rejuvenates the palette, this wine unveils a subtle, respectful line of stone which accents the juiciest of fruit. Due to the frost, there is a much higher percentage of Semillon than usual, giving the wine more fat and marbled qualities and a bit more sweetness.

A dollop of honey, a squeeze of citrus and a tinge of tangy that rejuvenates the palette, this wine unveils a subtle, respectful line of stone which accents the juiciest of fruit. Due to the frost, there is a much higher percentage of Semillon than usual, giving the wine more fat and marbled qualities and a bit more sweetness.

2,072 Views   Tasted
2017
89
Black cherry, thyme and smoke on the nose, moving quickly to a puppy-soft, finesse driven palate. Confrontational, curvaceous and medium-bodied, this wine is already easy to drink and will be very nice on release.

Black cherry, thyme and smoke on the nose, moving quickly to a puppy-soft, finesse driven palate. Confrontational, curvaceous and medium-bodied, this wine is already easy to drink and will be very nice on release.

1,796 Views   Tasted
2016
90
Juicy lemon, lime, green apple and honeysuckle going on here. The wine has a sweet shot of lime and pomelo in the finish. .

Juicy lemon, lime, green apple and honeysuckle going on here. The wine has a sweet shot of lime and pomelo in the finish. .

1,963 Views   Tasted
2016
90
Smoky dark, red plums, with a real juicy character to the fruit. This is coupled with freshness and earthy, black cherries in the medium bodied finish.

Smoky dark, red plums, with a real juicy character to the fruit. This is coupled with freshness and earthy, black cherries in the medium bodied finish.

2,294 Views   Tasted
2015
90
Fresh lime and lemon peel with a bit of the waxy Sauvignon Blanc quality, this wine is forward, fresh and ready for early, refreshing, crisp, citrus filled summer drinking.

Fresh lime and lemon peel with a bit of the waxy Sauvignon Blanc quality, this wine is forward, fresh and ready for early, refreshing, crisp, citrus filled summer drinking.

1,678 Views   Tasted
2015
87
Medium-bodied, forward, soft and focused on its red cherry core, this will be enjoyable on release. 86 - 88 Pts

Medium-bodied, forward, soft and focused on its red cherry core, this will be enjoyable on release. 86 - 88 Pts

2,945 Views   Tasted
2014
90
Crisp lemon-lime with hints of waxy citrus rind, this wine reflects a sweetness in the fruit and packs a zippy acidity in the finish. 89-91 Pts

Crisp lemon-lime with hints of waxy citrus rind, this wine reflects a sweetness in the fruit and packs a zippy acidity in the finish. 89-91 Pts

1,624 Views   Tasted
2014
85
This is a crowd-pleasing, early-drinking wine, light but ripe with the scent of olives and a dark, red berry profile. This wine is produced with the kind of style that will draw a broad audience. 84-86 Pts

This is a crowd-pleasing, early-drinking wine, light but ripe with the scent of olives and a dark, red berry profile. This wine is produced with the kind of style that will draw a broad audience. 84-86 Pts

1,662 Views   Tasted
2012
90
Refreshing, lively, energetic, open and serving up a blast of fresh squeezed, grapefruit, green apple, honeysuckle and lemon peel.

Refreshing, lively, energetic, open and serving up a blast of fresh squeezed, grapefruit, green apple, honeysuckle and lemon peel.

2,138 Views   Tasted
2010
90
A top value for white Bordeaux wine, here you find an aged example with fresh and refreshing note of lemon peel, grapefruit, white peach and honeysuckle that is fully mature, and easy to enjoy, with grilled seafood.

A top value for white Bordeaux wine, here you find an aged example with fresh and refreshing note of lemon peel, grapefruit, white peach and honeysuckle that is fully mature, and easy to enjoy, with grilled seafood.

2,109 Views   Tasted
2010
89
Easy to like, medium bodied, soft, elegantly styled wine with dark cherries, licorice, smoke and a hint of oak. This will probably be best in its first 10-12 years of life.

Easy to like, medium bodied, soft, elegantly styled wine with dark cherries, licorice, smoke and a hint of oak. This will probably be best in its first 10-12 years of life.

2,970 Views   Tasted