Red dry
A classic Pauillac wine from a 15-hectare estate, with vineyards planted on the gravel soils of the Garonne River alongside Château Batailley. Haut-Bages Monpelou is owned by the Castéja family, while the vineyard and winery are managed by the technical team at Château Batailley. The 2009 vintage was particularly successful in Bordeaux, and this wine reflects a mature, structured Pauillac style.
The nose reveals black cherry, redcurrant and cassis, complemented by vanilla and subtle spice notes. On the palate, the wine is rich and structured, with firm, silky tannins and a fresh, slightly peppery character. The finish is long and expressive, with lingering notes of dark fruit, vanilla and spice.
The vineyards are located in the Pauillac appellation, where deep layers of gravel deposited by the Garonne River predominate. These soils provide good drainage, while the gravel absorbs heat from the sun and retains it during the night, creating favourable conditions for grape ripening.
The 2009 wine is made from 69% 'Cabernet Sauvignon', 26% 'Merlot' and 5% 'Cabernet Franc'. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermentation takes place in separate batches in stainless-steel tanks, with extended maceration and gentle pumping-over. The wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels, 30% of which are new, while the remainder are previously used barrels.
Serve at a temperature of 16–18 °C; pair with beef tenderloin with pepper sauce, roasted leg of lamb, or venison roast.
Château Haut-Bages Monpelou is a Pauillac estate whose history is closely linked to the Castéja family and some of the most important vineyards in the region. The estate has been part of the Castéja family heritage since the 16th century and for a long time belonged to Château Duhart-Milon, which was also owned by the Castéja family at the time. Haut-Bages Monpelou was one of the three historic vineyards of Duhart-Milon and was separated from the estate in 1950.
After the separation, the estate was acquired by Marcel Borie, who began managing it as an independent wine estate. Marcel Borie was one of the owners of Château Batailley, which he acquired together with his brother Francis in 1924. Later, his daughter Denise Borie married Émile Castéja, further strengthening the connection between the Borie and Castéja wine estates.
Today, Haut-Bages Monpelou belongs to the Castéja family’s wine holdings, while its 15-hectare vineyard is managed as an independent estate. The vineyards and winemaking are overseen by the technical team at Château Batailley, which is why Haut-Bages Monpelou is often described as the “little brother of Château Batailley”. The connection is important not only because of the estates’ proximity, but also because they share the same vineyard and winemaking team.
The vineyards are located in the heart of the Pauillac appellation, with gravel soils forming their foundation. This type of terroir provides good drainage and is particularly well suited to 'Cabernet Sauvignon'. The vineyards are planted with the principal Médoc varieties – 'Cabernet Sauvignon', 'Merlot' and 'Cabernet Franc' – with their proportions in the blend varying according to the vintage.
The wines are made according to a traditional Pauillac approach: fermentation and maceration take place in stainless-steel tanks for 14–18 days, followed by approximately 18 months of ageing in oak barrels, around 30% of which are new. This approach helps preserve the fruit character while also providing structure and ageing potential.
Today, Haut-Bages Monpelou is a Cru Bourgeois estate in Pauillac, defined above all by its location, its historical links to Duhart-Milon and Château Batailley, and the Castéja family’s longstanding experience in the Médoc.
