Pessac Léognan, , WHERE THE VINES meet the city
Vineyards in the shadow of the city? Welcome to Pessac-Léognan, an urban appellation which is 100% Bordeaux. But that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in greenery: the appellation’s remarkable natural riches are tended with great pride by winegrowers.
What is the Pessac-Léognan wine region?
Key points to remember
- 1,880 hectares under vine, with 56 winegrowing estates and 70 Châteaux. An appellation spanning 10 communes: Pessac and Léognan, of course, with vines also present in Mérignac, Talence, Gradignan, Canéjan, Villenave-d’Ornon, Cadaujac, Martillac and Saint-Médard-d’Eyrans.
- This is the closest appellation to Bordeaux itself, with vineyards forming part of the urban landscape. A twenty-minute tram ride from the city center leads to great expanses of vines, interspersed with woodland trails and streams, and of course the famous gravel outcrops (we’ll get to that a little bit later!).
- The winegrowers of Pessac-Léognan have made a very strong collective commitment to protecting their little slice of paradise: CSR measures, sustainable viticulture, protecting biodiversity… and 100% of the vines awarded High Environmental Value (HEV) certification.
Why do people love Pessac-Léognan and its wines?
- Because the elegance of its reds has been emulated all over the world, while the signature style of the whites is simply impossible to replicate
- Because its vines are Bordeaux’s beating green heart: it’s such a pleasure to wander through this haven of nature, just a stone’s throw from the city center
- Because its winegrowers are as firmly rooted in these soils as their vines, with traditions stretching back generations
- Because they put respect for the ecosystem first, and refuse to compromise
- Because they maintain a constant commitment to high standards and creativity, never deviating from the timeless style which is the hallmark of their wines
- Because wandering from château to château – each with its own unique history and architecture – is an experience you’ll never forget
WHAT IS THE PESSAC-LéOGNAN
style?
First and foremost, Pessac-Léognan is a byword for excellence. But it’s also synonymous with elegance, finesse, seduction, fruit… Honestly, it’s not easy to sum it up in a single world.
Pessac-Léognan, a real taste of Bordeaux.
An object lesson in precision, consistency and longevity. Let’s start with the red PDOs, which strike the perfect balance between structure and fruit. With time, their silky tannins and mineral nuances come to the fore, conveying the distinctive character of the terroir and its limitless aromatic capabilities.
The whites are every bit as classy: complex, lively and effortlessly harmonious. And that’s not all! Their white fruit flavors, citrus notes, pleasant minerality and aging potential all add to their charm.
So it’s no surprise that the wines of Pessac-Léognan are firm favorites with Bordeaux’s local wine lovers!
Which kind of wines can be found in Pessac-Léognan?
One terroir, two styles: reds (86%) and dry whites.
The reds are remarkable for their elegance, smoothness and the unadulterated fruit sensation born from the marriage of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. In smaller doses, cabernet franc, carménère, malbec and petit verdot may also be used to add a dash of character to the blend. The whites, meanwhile, are subtle combinations of sauvignon blanc, sauvignon gris, sémillon and muscadelle.
Fun facts
Three fun facts you need to know about Pessac-Léognan
Ready to discover the AOP from a different angle? Follow the guide…
1.
It’s the youngest of the Bordeaux appellations. But we’ll come back to that in a few lines.
2.
The 14 Graves Great Growths are actually located here, within the Pessac-Léognan appellation area. The AOP also boasts one château (the iconic Haut-Brion) among the Grands Crus Classés of 1855.
3.
Since 2023, two totems created by Martillac-based artist and ironworker Bruno Nouaux have welcomed visitors at the entrance to Léognan. They pay tribute to André Lurton, the founding father of the appellation, who also served as its president for 18 years. One final nod to this key figure: the roundabout where the artworks stand has been renamed “André Lurton.”
Let’s talk about the soil
The soils of Pessac-Léognan are like caviar for grapevines. The appellation is blessed with an abundance of “grabas de Bourdeus”, better known as the famous Bordeaux gravel: a geological cocktail containing pebbles from the river, fine gravel, flint, sand, clay and limestone.
En voir plus
These ancient river deposits form undulating outcrops which, combined with the irrigation network provided by the various streams flowing into the Garonne, guarantee perfect natural drainage for the vineyards. And the cherry on the winemaking cake: an idyllic micro-climate. The presence of Bordeaux just to the north means that temperatures remain mild, while the Garonne River to the east helps to stave off frost, and the Landes Forest to the west provides shelter from the winter winds.
Let’s travel back in time
9 September 1987 was a red-letter day for Pessac-Léognan, the day the PDO was formally recognized, after a campaign led by André Lurton.
En voir plus
Although the appellation may be one of the youngest in Bordeaux, this exceptional terroir is no newcomer to winemaking. Quite the contrary! The first vines were planted here by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. What’s more, the majority of Pessac-Léognan’s most iconic estates have existed for centuries. So it is possible to be young and experienced at the same time, not to mention immensely talented!
