Château Patache d'Aux

Updated on

Château Patache d’Aux, a Cru Bourgeois in AOC Médoc, is owned by Antoine Moueix Propriétés. It spans 63 hectares with grape varieties dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Certified HVE3, the estate prioritises environmentally friendly viticultural practices.

Château Patache d'Aux — photo principale
© Château Patache d'Aux

Identity

Château Patache d’Aux is a winegrowing estate located in Bégadan, in the Gironde department. It is owned by Antoine Moueix Propriétés, a subsidiary of the AdVini group. The consulting oenologist is Stéphane Derenoncourt.

History and Philosophy

The history of Château Patache d'Aux dates back to 1660, the year Jean-Jacques d'Aux acquired the estate. The vat room was built in 1779, with the earliest documented harvest dating to 1720. Following a sale in 1835, the estate was managed by Georges Badimon from 1855, and later inherited by the Delons family in 1860. The estate was classified as a Cru Bourgeois in 1932.

In 1964, Claude Lapalu acquired the property. Château Patache d'Aux joined Antoine Moueix Propriétés in 2016. A "zero pesticide residues in wines" policy was introduced in 2016. The estate has been certified HVE3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3) since 2017 and ISO 14001 since 2017. It also achieved SME (Système de Management Environnemental du Vin de Bordeaux) certification in 2012. A new cellar was inaugurated in 2018.

Appellations

Château Patache d'Aux produces wines under the Médoc appellation, with the Cru Bourgeois classification.

Practical Information

Address: 1 rue du 19 mars 1962, 33340 Bégadan

Telephone: +33 (0)5 56 41 50 18

Email: Info@domaines-lapalu.com

The tasting and sales cellar is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Visits are available by appointment.

Find Out More

Official estate website

Frequently asked questions

Who is the current owner of Château Patache d'Aux and since when?
Château Patache d'Aux is owned by Antoine Moueix Propriétés, a subsidiary of the AdVini group. This acquisition took place in 2016. Prior to this, the estate had several owners, including the Delons family and Claude Lapalu, who acquired it in 1964. The estate boasts a long history dating back to 1660.
What environmental certifications has Château Patache d'Aux achieved?
Château Patache d'Aux has achieved several environmental certifications. It has been certified HVE3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3) since 2017. It also holds ISO 14001 certification, obtained that same year, and SME certification since 2012. The estate is committed to a "zero pesticide residues in wines" policy implemented in 2016.
What are the terroir characteristics and grape varieties of Château Patache d'Aux?
The vineyard of Château Patache d'Aux extends across 63 hectares. Its terroir is characterised by clay-limestone soils over limestone bedrock, heavy clay, and sandy-clay gravels. The grape varieties are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Merlot (44%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The vines have an average age of 39 years, with certain parcels reaching 88 years.
How are the wines of Château Patache d'Aux aged?
The primary cuvée of Château Patache d'Aux is aged for 10 to 14 months in French oak barrels, with a breakdown of approximately one-third new oak, one-third one-year-old barrels, and one-third two-year-old barrels. A portion of the volume may also be aged in raw concrete vats. For cuvées such as "Les Chevaux de Patache d'Aux" and "Le Relais de Patache d'Aux", ageing takes place predominantly in vats, supplemented by a small proportion of two-year-old barrels, over a period of 6 to 9 months.

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard of Château Patache d'Aux covers 63 hectares. The average age of the vines is 39 years, with certain parcels reaching 88 years. The terroir consists of clay-limestone soils over shallow-to-deep limestone bedrock, heavy clay, and sandy-clay gravels. The estate benefits from an oceanic climate and is situated near the Gironde estuary (10 kilometres away) and the Atlantic Ocean (30 kilometres away). The soils are divided between a limestone plateau (48 hectares) and gravel and sand soils (10 hectares). The vines are trained in double Guyot, trellised, with a planting density of 9,090 vines per hectare.

The grape varieties comprise 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Soil management is mechanical, including earthing-up/unearthing and the use of inter-vine blades. Pheromone mating disruption is employed to control grape moths. The estate practices full mechanical tillage across half the area, complemented by cover cropping between the rows. Canopy management is carried out by hand, with mechanical leaf removal.

Signature Cuvées

The estate offers several red wine cuvées.

Château Patache d’Aux

This primary cuvée is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. It is renowned for its structure and ageing potential, estimated at 10 to 15 years. It is typically served between 16 and 18°C.

Les Chevaux de Patache d’Aux

This second wine of Château Patache d’Aux is crafted from the estate's younger vines, with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Appreciated for its fruit-forward profile, it can be kept for around 5 years. Serving between 16 and 18°C is recommended.

Le Relais de Patache d’Aux

This cuvée is sourced from a 58-hectare parcel selection, primarily from younger vines, and is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Its ageing potential is around 5 years, with a recommended serving temperature between 16 and 18°C.

Vinification and Ageing

Vinification at Château Patache d'Aux takes place in temperature-controlled, unlined raw concrete vats. Macerations last between 15 and 30 days. Ageing for the primary cuvée extends over 10 to 14 months in French oak barrels, with a distribution of approximately one-third new oak, one-third one-year-old barrels, and one-third two-year-old barrels. A proportion of the volume (between 0 and 40%) may also be aged in raw concrete vats.

For the cuvées "Les Chevaux de Patache d’Aux" and "Le Relais de Patache d'Aux", ageing takes place predominantly in vats, complemented by a small proportion in two-year-old barrels, over a period of 6 to 9 months.

Appellation
Médoc
Commune
Bégadan
Wine region
Médoc
Owner
Antoine Moueix Propriétés (groupe AdVini)
Technical direction
Stéphane Derenoncourt
Surface area
63 ha
Second wine
Les Chevaux de Patache d’Aux
Certifications
HVE, ISO 14001, SME
Grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 44%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 2%

Practical information

Address
1 rue du 19 mars 1962, 33340 Bégadan
Contact form
Contact the estate
Opening hours
Du lundi au vendredi de 9h à 12h30 et de 14h à 17h.
Visits
Oui sur rendez-vous

Location

Loading the map…

Built by

... by Good Morning AI

Websites, marketing and automation for winegrowers.