Overview

Chateau Peyrabon has a history that dates back to the mid to late 1700's and the chateau was built in 1766.

The wine of Chateau Peyrabon had become popular enough that by the late 1800's the wines were priced at the same level that some of the 1855 Classified Growths were selling for.

The owner at the time, Arnaud Roux was so sure his wine deserved to be classified, along the same lines as his neighbouring estates that he actually sued, hoping to force a reclassification of the Medoc to include Chateau Peyrabon. The judges ruled against him in 1869 and the 1855 Classification was not changed.

Under the stewardship of Patrick Bernard, Chateau Peyrabon has both increased in size and improved in quality. Patrick Bernard spent more than 2 Million Euros to improve the estate after its purchase. Some of the improvements to Chateau Peyrabon include the replanting of 11 hectares of vines. Trees were cut down to increase the air circulation for the vines and a new drainage system was installed. There was also a modernisation in the cellars, wine making facilities and chateau.

Chateau Peyrabon is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. In total, Chateau Peyrabon owns 57 hectares of vines in the Left Bank. 40 hectares are located in the Haut Medoc appellation. They have vines situated next to the Pauillac appellation.

However, they own 7 hectares located in Pauillac which are planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. Prior to 2005, their holdings in Pauillac were only 5 hectares, but in 2005, Patrick Bernard was able to purchase 2 additional hectares of vines. These vines are used exclusively to produce Chateau La Fleur Peyrabon, which is a Pauillac. Chateau La Fleur Peyrabon is vinified in tank. Malolactic fermentation is in vat. The wine is aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels for about 14 months before bottling. While Chateau La Fleur Peyrabon is often a more user friendly, occasionally rustic style of Pauillac, the 2009 and 2010 vintages were quite successful and Chateau La Fleur Peyrabon is seen as exceptional value. On average, between 2,500 and 3,000 cases of wine are produced of La Fleur Peyrabon every vintage.

The vineyard at Chateau Peyrabon has a terroir of sand, gravel, clay and limestone soils. The vines are on average 25 years of age. The vineyard has a vine density that ranges from 6,500 vines per hectare to to 8,500 vines per hectare. The newer plantings are at the higher levels of density. The vines are still young at an average age of of 25 years.

For Chateau Peyrabon, the vines are picked using a combination of mechanical harvesters and manual pickers. The wines are vinified in temperature controlled, stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank. The wine is then aged in 33% new, French oak barrels for an average of 14 months before bottling.

On average, Chateau Peyrabon produces close to 35,000 cases of wine per vintage.