Château de Malleret

The Château de Malleret dates back to the 16th century. The estate was owned by Pierre Eyquem, who died in 1560. A plot of vines, named "Peyquem," bears witness to this long history.

One of the great assets of the Château de Malleret vineyard is its beautiful diversity of terroir. The 57 hectares of vines extend over Garonne gravel and a gravelly-sandy plateau. Far from being a "menial task," pruning at Château de Malleret is considered one of the most noble tasks, a true love affair between the vine and the person who shapes it. Thus, dignity is restored to this essential activity, which is indispensable to the quality of the coming vintage.

At Château de Malleret, we practice single and double Guyot pruning, plus Cordon de Royat pruning on certain plots. This technique, which is rarely used in the Médoc, is ideal for ensuring undeniable yield quality and incomparable aesthetic unity. With one bud pruned every two, the vines are more aerated and the bunches less compact, reducing the risk of rot.

The vat room is a hive of activity during the harvest. The grapes are poured into a vibrating hopper which ensures that the berries are perfectly drained without being crushed and are distributed evenly on the sorting table: around 14 people remove the last visible pieces of vegetation by hand.

The aging process practiced at Château de Malleret aims to bring out the best in the aromas, specifically by avoiding "smothering" them and finding the best balance: the light woodiness perfects the wine with a lovely tannic suppleness, length, elegance, and pleasant hints of vanilla.