SAIKOUK & Château Le Mont du Puit
This week we depart to meet the Domaine Saïkouk (AOC Medoc & AOC Haut-Médoc)
Talking about SAIKOUK wines is not just about speaking of a property and a terroir but also about a woman who grew up in the shadow of a Médoc’ vines: Latifa Saïkouk .
Latifa is a young and dynamic winegrower/winemaker come from Médoc, passionate about her wine making and vinifying nectars marked by her personality . Daughter of farm workers that arrived in Morocco in 1972 she bathed in her childhood in the world of the vine and wine. In fact she spent her early years surrounded by wineries, listen to their parents about their travails in the vineyard every day but especially at the end of classes. Latifa joined her friend winemaker Jean-Pierre Dupuy to help the property. The latter did not only teach her to take care of the vineyard, he also passed on to her his passion for wine.
At the end of this school she naturally went to study in a winemaker’school (baccalauréat viti-oeno). After some experiments in properties she returned to Saint Seurin de Cadourne to regain the ownership of Jean-Pierre Dupuy. So in 2001 she took over the estate, took a leased neighboring vineyard and bought a vineyard in AOC Haut-Médoc. In 2006 the contract between the property to the local wine cooperative ended. 
Is no longer under contract , with advice of Pierre Rolland (Chateau Potensac) and wishing to produce their own label , she launched into the adventure and therefore settled in particular winery. Why it’s equipped property in machinery and renovated an old barn winery.
The latest development of the property was the 2009 acquisition of parcels of vines and from 5.41 to 8.8 hectares. For the record, despite her age and the fact that it sold its Jean-Pierre Dupuy continued to assist and advise property Latifa Saïkouk.
As a side project, Latifa Saïkouk does not want to stop there. In the medium term she would get into the wine by giving the property a tasting room as well as guest rooms.
Where does the name SAIKOUK’ wines come from?
I will not make you think too much to explain where the name Saïkouk wines (Médoc & Haut-Médoc) comes. Concerning the name of the Chateau le Mont du Puit It’s a tribute to the man who gave her passion: Jean-Pierre Dupuy. As that word “Mont” (in English: mount) is simply because the plot is about the height of a hill.
What does Latifa Saïkouk look for when she create the wines of Château Saïkouk?
“I want to make wines that I love! Very fruity, simple easy way to access, easy to drink and enjoyable. A wine that is not overloaded with woody aromas but with a well balanced aromas. Wines without faults and can be drunk young.”
Side anecdote:
Latifa Saïkouk presented the wines of Château Saïkouk in the latest edition of the Bordeaux fêtes le vin (Bordeaux’ wines celebration), 2012 edition. During this event many Japanese tourists came to the docks to taste the wines. Seeing “SAIKOUK” written on the bottles and many were attracted stopped at the booth and asked if Latifa was a Japanese name. Indeed, when the name is written in uppercase umlaut the “i” disappears and the name is well written in a japanesse way.
Thanks to Latifa Saïkouk for the great hospitality.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Domaine Saïkouk / Château Le Mont du Puit
4 rue du Château
33180 Saint-Seurin de Cadourne
