Overview

Chateau Laville Haut Brion was created at the start of the 1600's. The founder of the estate, who the property took its name from was Marie de Laville. The Laville family maintained control of the estate for over 100 years.

Like all Bordeaux estates, Chateau Laville Haut Brion was bought, sold and traded at least a few times over the years. It later became the property of the Woltner family. Frederic Otto Woltner bought Chateau Laville Haut Brion from the Boucasse family in 1919. The Boucasse family had owned Chateau Laville Haut Brion since 1825. In 1983, ownership of Laville Haut Brion changed hands again when the Woltner family sold the estate along with Chateau La Mission Haut Brion and Chateau La Tour Haut Brion to Clarence Dillon, the owner of Chateau Haut Brion.

In the Classification of Graves wines in 1959, Chateau Laville Haut Brion was one of two chateaux that only produced white Bordeaux wine from the Pessac Leognan appellation. Laville Haut Brion was given the ranking of Premier Cru. Chateau Laville Haut Brion was planted for the production of white wine in 1923. The vines, located in the commune of Talence were originally part of the vineyard for Chateau La Tour Haut Brion. The earliest known vintage of Chateau Laville Haut Brion is the 1928. However, the debut vintage was labeled Chateau La Mission Haut Brion. That practice continued for 3 years. In 1931, the new label read; Chateau Laville Terroir du Haut Brion, Premier Cru de Graves. That eventually changed to Chateau Laville Haut Brion. Interestingly, at least two vintages were labeled additionally with Creme de Tete, 1964 and 1945. The Creme de Tete Laville Haut Brion was a special vineyard or barrel selection of the wine.

The small, 3.5 hectare parcel is planted to 70% Semillon, 27% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle. Muscadelle was not always used in the blend. The average blend usually closer to 79% Semillon and 21% Sauvignon Blanc.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 10,000 vines per hectare. The vines, many of them old are on average 51 years of age. The vineyard is located next to Chateau La Mission Haut Brion. The terroir is gravel, clay, sand and limestone soil. Vinification takes place in 100% new, French oak barrels. There is no contact with the skins. There is no malolactic fermentation. Chateau Laville Haut Brion is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels for an average of 13-16 months, depending on the vintage and its characteristics before bottling.

The production of Chateau Laville Haut Brion is small. On average between 1,000 cases of Laville Haut Brion are produced annually.