Learn everything about Chateau Hostens Picant, Sainte Foy Bordeaux with wine tasting notes, ratings, a history of the property, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles
Chateau Hostens Picant History, Overview
The modern era for Chateau Hostens Picant starts in 1986 when Yves Hostens Picant and Nadine Hostens Picant purchased the estate. They renamed the property and the hard work began for the couple.
Prior to their purchase, the harvest was sold to negociants. It took 4 years before they produced the first vintage of Chateau Hostens Picant. This was necessary because, at the time of the purchase, the vineyard and winemaking facilities were in serious need of renovation.
The estate had fallen into a dilapidated state. In 1986, only 19 of the estate’s 42 hectares were even planted! They desperately needed to increase the vine density as well.
As you can easily guess, it was quite an expensive and time-consuming process to cultivate the remaining 23 hectares with vines. The next major decision for the new owners was to bring in the team of Stephane Derenoncourt to consult on their vineyards and with their work in the cellars. This took place in 2004.
Chateau Hostens Picant Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 39-hectare vineyard of Chateau Hostens Picant is planted for both red and wine grapes. 30 hectares of vines are planted to 66% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon for the red wine grapes.
For their white Bordeaux wine, 9 hectares of vines are planted to 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Muscadelle.
The vines are located in the little-known, Sainte Foy appellation, which is about 45 minutes to an hour from St. Emilion. Their relatively close proximity to the Right Bank explains why their terroir is quite similar to what you can find in many Right Bank vineyards.
Hostens Picant produces both red and white Bordeaux wine. 32 hectares of vines are devoted to red wine grapes, and the remaining 10 hectares are dedicated to the production of white Bordeaux wine. The terroir is gravel, clay, and limestone soils.
The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,000 vines per hectare. This represented a major change in the vineyard because prior to their purchase of the estate, the vineyard was only planted to 3,200 vines per hectare.
To produce the red wine of Chateau Hostens Picant, the wine is vinified in a combination of 21, stainless steel and wood vats that vary in size from 65 hectoliters up to 250 hectoliters. Malolactic fermentation for Hostens Picant takes place in tanks. On average, the wine is aged in 33% new, French oak for about 18 months.
Chateau Hostens Picant also produces a special cuvee’, Chateau Hostens Picant Cuvee d’Exception Lucullus. For their high-end wine, Hostens Picant Cuvee d’Exception Lucullus, the wine which made its debut in 1998, is fermented in a combination of stainless steel vats and oak tanks.
Malolactic fermentation for Hostens Picant Cuvee d’Exception Lucullus takes place in barrel. Chateau Hostens Picant Cuvee d’Exception Lucullus receives much more work with their aging as the wine is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels for 18 months.
The estate also produces 2 white Bordeaux wines, Hostens Picant Blanc and Hostens Picant Cuvee des Demoiselles. To produce the white wine of Hostens Picant, the wine is vinified and aged in a combination of new and used, French oak barrels.
The white Bordeaux wine of Hostens Picant has limited skin contact. The wine is completely vinified in used and new, French oak barrels. There is no malolactic fermentation. The white wine is aged on its lees with stirring for about 10 months before bottling.
The total production for all 4 wines from Hostens Picant is about 16,500 cases per year.
The best vintages of Chateau Hostens Picant are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.
When to Drink Chateau La Graviere, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau Hostens Picant is better with at least 1-3 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for up to 1 hour, helping the wine soften to help develop the aromatic character.
Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Hostens Picant offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 2-8 years of age after the vintage.
Serving Chateau Hostens Picant with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Chateau Hostens Picant is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.
Chateau Hostens Picant is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Hostens Picant is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.
Château Hostens-Picant Wine Tasting Notes
28 Vintages 56,465 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
2023
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
An interesting blend, due to mildew pressure, the wine blends 89% Cabernet Sauvignon with 11% Cabernet Franc to produce a sine loaded with cedar, tobacco leaf, mint, wet forest, and red currants. Medium-bodied, almost light, the crisp red berries are fresh, but they fade quickly in the finish. Drink from 2026-2031. 86-88 Pts. 596 Views Tasted May 4, 2024 |
2022
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Floral in nature, due to the large portion of 53% Cabernet Franc in the blend, the wine is creamy, round, polished, and fruity, with nice definition in the black cherry and crushed stone finish. Give this a few years of age before you pull a cork, and this should be an even better wine. Drink from 2025-2035. 91-93 Pts. 1,606 Views Tasted May 8, 2023 |
2022
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
The medium-bodied, fruity, forward, soft wine is round, ope,n and ready to go with its nice portfolio of sweet, ripe cherries. Drink from 2025-2031. 90-89 Pts. 1,580 Views Tasted May 8, 2023 |
2021
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Smoke, herbs, and bright, fresh, chewy red fruits and a distinctive floral note are found in the nose as well as in the round, soft, forward, fruit-filled palate. Drink from 2023-2031. 88-90 1,231 Views Tasted May 20, 2022 |
2021
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée des Demoiselles (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Pineapples, orange rind, white peach, and candied tangerines pop in the perfume. The palate is equal to the nose with all of its sweet white peaches, citrus, spice and lemon curd. Drink from 2024-2028. 371 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2024 |
2020
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée des Demoiselles (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Juicy, sweet and fresh with a distinctive aromatic character of white peach, spice, pear, lemon oil and green apples. There is a refreshing pop of green apples on the palate with sweetness and lift. This will be best in its refreshing youth. 90 Pts 1,274 Views Tasted May 20, 2021 |
2020
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Spicy, smoky, meaty, herbal and oaky, the fruit is round, soft and polished. Savory in character, with soft, ripe, round tannins and a spicy, earthy character to the plummy finish. Give this a few years of age before you pull a cork, and this could be an even better wine. 89-91 Pts 1,268 Views Tasted May 20, 2021 |
2020
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Dominated by espresso, mocha, smoke, herbs and red fruits, the wine is forward, open, soft, bright, salty and already easy to drink. 85-87 Pts 1,240 Views Tasted May 20, 2021 |
2019
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
The star of the Sainte Foy appellation offers espresso bean roasted plums, black cherries and licorice on the nose. Ruby in color, the wine is soft, polished, juicy and loaded with sweet, ripe, fresh red fruits, herbs and spices. Drink it young, or age it a few years before opening a bottle. 89-91 Pts 2,250 Views Tasted Jul 2, 2020 |
2019
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée des Demoiselles (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
White peach and green apples pop with freshness and a sweet, yellow citrus peel finish. This will be best in its refreshing youth. 88 Pts 2,538 Views Tasted Jul 2, 2020 |
2019
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Spicy, earthy, smoky red fruits and underbrush are on the nose. Medium-bodied, earthy, round and fruity on the palate, the finish combines red berries and green olives with herbs on the rustic backend. 85-87-Pts 2,259 Views Tasted Jul 2, 2020 |
2018
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
The undisputed star of the Sainte Foy appellation shows a deep color. Fresh, vibrant, dark red berries, espresso, licorice, cocoa, spice and dark chocolate are found on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with a rich, round palate feel, the wine can be enjoyed early, though a few years will add more complexity here. 629 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021Lusciously textured, black fruits, soft tannins, licorice, espresso bean and plums come together in a forward styled, already delicious wine. Drink it young, or age it a few years before opening a bottle. 90-92 Pts 1,272 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2019 |
2018
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée des Demoiselles (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
White peach, pomelo, lemon curd and a touch of vanilla on the nose and the palate, which is also where you find sweet green apples with lemon peel in the fresh finish. This will be best in its refreshing youth. 1,035 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021 |
2018
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Medium-bodied, herbs, bright red fruits and an easy going, earthy, red pit fruit finish with a touch of bitter chocolate and espresso on the back end. 664 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2021Medium-bodied, bright red fruits, with herbs, tobacco and underbrush and red plums. 85-87 Pts 1,186 Views Tasted Apr 19, 2019 |
2016
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Dark in color, the star of the little-known Saint Foy appellation is round, lush and loaded with deep black fruits and cocoa. The wine is fleshy and fruity. 1,740 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019Round textures, sweet, lush, red fruits and a juicy mid palate are made even better with a sweet, spicy, plummy finish. 1,245 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
2016
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée des Demoiselles (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
For early drinking pleasure the wine serves up light notes of yellow citrus fruit with floral accents. 1,092 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
2016
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Earthy black cherry and roasted coffee beans kick things off nicely before moving on to the soft, sweet, forward, blast of juicy cherries and dark chocolate on the palate and in the finish. 2,721 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019Licorice, smoke and black raspberry scents open to a soft, sweet, supple, forward, open wine, which will offer its charms on release. 2,037 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
2015
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Supple, round, dark red fruits, with a character driven, polished, ripe, rich, lush fruity finish. 1,404 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2016 |
2015
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Round, soft and open, the wine is medium bodied, with juicy plums, raspberries and an easy to like cherry finish. 1,537 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2016 |
2014
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Rich, supple, sweet, dark red fruits, with a round, character driven, polished finish. 87-89 Pts 1,641 Views Tasted May 1, 2015 |
2014
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Ripe, round, sweet plums, and juicy raspberries, with a sweet, soft, black cherry finish. 86-88 Pts 1,739 Views Tasted May 1, 2015 |
2013
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Citrus and tangy red berries in the nose, light and easy going, with an approachable, fresh, light cherry finish. From a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. 83-85 Pts 1,631 Views Tasted May 1, 2014 |
2012
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
The blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc reached 14% ABV. The black cherry, licorice-centric wine offers soft textures and a medium-bodied cherry finish. 87-89 Pts 2,003 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2013 |
2012
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Light and dominated by red berries, this medium-bodied wine ends with a red fruit finish. 83-85 Pts 1,600 Views Tasted Apr 26, 2013 |
2010
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Forward, this modern styled, plump, round wine delivers lot of sweet, ripe black cherries, chocolate, smoke, fennel, coffee bean and blackberries. The wine is already drinking well. 2,171 Views Tasted Aug 1, 2013 |
2010
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
A simple, straight forward, generic Bordeaux wine in an easy to like style. I'd drink this over the next few years. 2,292 Views Tasted Jul 21, 2013 |
2009
Château Hostens-Picant Cuvée d'exception Lucullus (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Lucullus Cuvee d’Exception is the top wine from Hostens Picant. Stone, licorice and blackberry jam scents open to a medium bodied with soft, round textures that ends with a tasty plummy finish. 2,955 Views Tasted Jul 18, 20112009 Lucullus Cuvee d’Exception is the top wine from Hostens Picant. Minerals, dark fruit, blackberries, and pepper combined with soft, round textures are the signature of this wine. 87-90 Pts 3,253 Views Tasted Aug 26, 2010 |
2009
Château Hostens-Picant (Sainte Foy Bordeaux)
Forest floor, spice strawberry and pepper on the nose, medium bodied with some green notes amongst the black raspberry flavors are found in the slightly drying finish. 2,120 Views Tasted Jul 18, 20112009 Hostens Picant is a medium bodied, soft textured wine with berries and hints of cocoa in the finish. 84-86 Pts 2,285 Views Tasted Aug 26, 2010 |