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Pessac-Léognan

Bordeaux

BordeauxLibourneLangon

Bordeaux appellations · tap an area

The northern half of the Graves, carved out as its own AOC in 1987. Pessac-Léognan is the only Bordeaux appellation that classifies both reds and whites equally. Château Haut-Brion (1855 First Growth, originally classified with the Médoc) sits here, alongside Domaine de Chevalier, La Mission Haut-Brion, Pape Clément, Smith Haut-Lafitte and Carbonnieux.

The wines of Pessac-Léognan are made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and other Bordeaux varieties.

Vineyard Map

Terroir

GravelSandClay

This combination of soils contributes to the distinctive character and complexity of Pessac-Léognan wines.

What it tastes like

Body

Full

Acidity

Fresh

Tannin

Grippy

Oak

Some oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Concentrated

Reds

Full-bodied and fresh with firm tannin; blackcurrant, smoke and graphite over earth, polished and built to age.

black fruit · smoky · earthy · graphite · polished

Body

Full

Acidity

Bright

Oak

Some oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Concentrated

Whites

Full-bodied and bright, dry with some oak; grapefruit, white peach and hazelnut over a creamy, smoky texture, built to age.

citrus · stone fruit · nutty · smoky · stony

Similar styles

Lands in the same glass.

Like the reds

Yountville

Napa Valley, United States

Bolgheri

Tuscany, Italy

Perdriel

Mendoza, Argentina

Gimblett Gravels

Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Pécharmant

Sud-Ouest, France

Like the whites

Aloxe-Corton

Burgundy, France

Tupungato

Mendoza, Argentina

Rosazzo

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Limoux

Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Kaiserstuhl

Baden, Germany

Grapes of Bordeaux

Cabernet Sauvignon

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
blackcurrantgreen bell peppermintcedar

The Left Bank's home grape, on deep gravel beds. Cassis, cedar, graphite, and tobacco, framed by firm tannin built for decades of cellaring.

Merlot

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
plumblackberrystrawberrybay leaf

Bordeaux's Right Bank lives on Merlot. Pomerol's iron-rich clay yields plush plum, black cherry, and truffle; Saint-Émilion's limestone adds elegance, cigar box, and length.

Cabernet Franc

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberrybell pepperviolet

Riper, plummier, more structured. Key blending partner in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol.

Sauvignon Blanc

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
grassasparaguspassion fruitgrapefruit

Bordeaux's dry whites blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon on Pessac-Léognan gravel. Lemon, peach, and white flowers; barrel age brings cream and honey over a decade.

Sémillon

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelemongrasshoney

Blended with Sauvignon Blanc

Bordeaux Red Blend

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
blackcurrantplumcedartobacco

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant on the Left Bank, Merlot-dominant on the Right Bank

Bordeaux White Blend

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
citrusgrapefruitwhite peachgooseberry

Dry whites from Pessac-Léognan are the finest, combining Sauvignon Blanc freshness with Sémillon richness

Frequently Asked Questions

What grapes grow in Pessac-Léognan?▼
The main grapes in Pessac-Léognan (Bordeaux) include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc.
What soils are found in Pessac-Léognan?▼
Pessac-Léognan sits on gravel, sand, clay soils, which contribute to the distinctive character of its wines.

Map data: INAO · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)