The revival of Chateau Lillian Ladouys (AOC Saint-Estèphe – Cru Bourgeois) & Chateau Pédesclaux (AOC Pauillac – Grand Cru classé)

This week I chose (for you) to discover the properties of Mr. Lorenzetti, an owner with enthusiasm for challenges in the wine field.

The Chateau Pédesclaux and the Chateau Lilian Ladouys were bought by Jacky Lorenzetti, former CEO (and founder) of the real estate company FONCIA.
A man of good living, a Medoc’ Wines lover, and entrepreneur and supporter of challenges, acquired these two properties, respectively in 2009 and 2008.
These acquisitions were made possible by the sale in 2007 from the FONCIA to the Banque Populaire.
From the beginning he entrusted the restructure of the vineyards to Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen (CTO). A passionate man that already at work in other properties (Chateau Gironville, Château Belle-Vue, Chateau Bolaire).

Specifically, what has been done in so little time?

Well first of all I want to say that this list is not exhaustive and that the work of restructuring of both vineyards is a long process. But even in a short time this small team in charge of the developments has made impressive things. The main achievements are:

• The acquisition of 15 acres with the acquisition of Haut-Milon vineyard
• The uprooting of 6.5 hectares of vines in bad condition.
• The grass cover 70% of the historic vineyard due to the presence of fertilizers in soils that were there. Indeed, the grass can counter their effects.
• Restructuring of chais and tank rooms.
• Restructuring (uprooting, planting, sales and purchases) plots.
• The replacement of the entire agricultural equipment
• The renovation of the Castles

A little history …

The Chateau Pédesclaux was created in 1810 by Pierre Urbain Pédesclaux, significant Bordeaux’courtier at the time. Thanks to a soil quality and its relationship, the Chateau Pedesclaux was ranked as the 5th Grand Cru Classe de Pauillac (classification of 1855).
In 1891 the property was sold to the Count of Gastebois. Then, to his death in 1930, his daughters entrusted the property and leased it to the family Jugla. Following WWII the vineyard was ravaged Pédesclaux … which allowed the family to acquire Jugla, in 1950, for the cost of the symbolic franc. (What do you mean here ? They bought the property for the symbolic price of 1 franc ? or for the cost in francs at the time ? If the first one, you must put : for the cost of one symbolic franc, if its the second, leave it like it is.)
Unfortunately the weight of years and the various crisis (economic, vegetable …) experienced by the vineyard, it was not possible to make investments (vine, production tools). Upon redemption in 2009 the property was therefore in a state a little reluisand.
For the record, the family hid and sheltered Jugla to a Belgian soldier during WWII. At the end of the war to thank the gesture, the King of Belgium bought wines come from Chateau Pedesclaux …. Even today some vintages are still in the basement of the King.

Where does the name “Lilian Ladouys” comes from?

For many years this castle simply had the name of “Ladouys” which means in Gascon “the source”.
Indeed the chateau is close to a stream and also to the lake of the Château Lafite Rothschild. The history of these two castles (Rothschild and Ladouys) is closely related. During construction of the Chateau Ladouys by Jacques de Bercoyan, in the 16th century, the building was used as a dependency of Château Lafite.
In the 18th century Chateau Ladouys was detached from Chateau Lafite and sold. The first wines “Ladouys” made their appearances. It only took 50 years for the Château Lilian Ladouys to be considered at the time, as one of the “best” of Saint-Estephe of the Bordeaux market place. (Especially due to a very qualitative soil).
With the various changes of ownership and the crisis in the Bordeaux vineyards, the Chateau gradually lost its former glory.
Still many plots of these two castles “intersect.”

For the anecdote, the vineyards located in front of the Château Lilian Ladouys are the property of Lafite Rothschild.
As for the name “Lilian” it was added in 1989 by the then owner in honor of his wife Liliane.

Their leitmotif?

Restore the former glory of yesteryears with these two properties. They are synonymous of new finesse, quality and silky tannins. But only through the tasting, all the rich characteristics of their terroirs express themselves.
Also, make wine simple and complex at once.
It’s been some time that the new owners are in place, their various renovation projects are not all finished but it is clear that the bet is won. I would predict a bright future! (Appointments in two years to taste this!)

Characteristics of the Chateau Pédesclaux:

• 46 hectares of which 43 are planted with vines
• Grape Vineyard: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and a few rows (small part) with the Petit Verdot
• Production: 250,000 bottles
• Hand harvested in small crates and
• Item 3 wines: Château Pédesclaux, Fleur de Pédesclaux, the Haut-Médoc de Pédesclaux
• Aging: Uses heated barrels to heart (begins with a gentle heating and then increases gradually heated) to provide a more wooded melted. Breeding for 12/14 months with 60% new barrels and 40% of a wine.
• Soil: serious clays / Peyrosols
• Work Gravity: This is to say “encuvage” (to tank) gravity without crushing gravity and load shedding to avoid brutality at the cluster level and wine.
• Performs try to biodynamics in some plots.

Features Château Lilian Ladouys:

• 46 hectares including 45 production
• Grape Vineyard: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
• Production: 300,000 bottles
• Hand picked and mechanical currency for Lilian
• Item 3 wines: Château Lilian Ladouys, La devise de Lilian, La Rousselière
• Ageing: Uses heated barrels to heart. Breeding for 14/16 months with 50% new oak, 50% of a wine.
• Soil: Gravelly, sandy gravel and clayey limestone
• Work by gravity

Let´s go to the anecdote:

If you visit castles or if you look their bottles, you will notice that a flower and a blue border are everywhere. The flower is simply the emblem of the architect who built the Château Lilian Ladouys, it was taken over by the current owner to create a visual entity common to both chateau.
Regarding the blue border, Mr. Lorenzetti is also the owner of the Racing Metro 92 (rugby club), the blue is a reminder to his second passion: rugby and more specifically to his club.
Wine and rugby …. here are the ingredients of a good living! (Especially in the south west of France)

Projects?

Yes, the main one would be the restructuring / construction of buildings for Chateau Pédesclaux. Mr. Lorenzetti hired architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte to design the new cellars of this property of Pauillac.
Cellars which should be operational for the 2014 harvest. “Ultimately we want to work by gravity, and in piecemeal. Combined with a cold maceration (vinif) that will preserve the material and the aromas of the fruit” (Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen).
I had the chance to see the project plans …. in a few words “modern,” “beautiful”, “useful” (to the cellar). A new semi-underground cellar will be built and two wings of glass filling the Castle.

The name of this architect is telling you something? Well, nowadays it is one of the most famous French architects. It is already causing many achievement such as: The Rohan and Richelieu all of the Louvre Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon, the Cultural Center of Japan Bunkamura and renovation of Chateau Cos d’Estournel (Saint Estephe), and so on…

Well! you will understand that these two Chateaux, that are currently going through a full qualitative revival are something to follow!

Thanks to Cindy Ceres and Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen for their hospitality.

Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche

Château Pedesclaux
Route de l’industrie
33250 Pauillac
05.56.59.22.59
website of Château Pédesclaux 
website of Château Lilian Ladouys