Petit Verdot, although often relegated to the role of an auxiliary grape variety, is a leading player in the complexity of great Bordeaux wines. Contrary to a widespread idea of an origin exogenous to the Gironde, its kinship with Tressot suggests a deep-rooted history. Roger Dion, in his fundamental work "Histoire de la vigne et du vin en France", recounts the discovery by Louis Levadoux in 1950, in the Vallée d'Aspe, of a lambrusque (wild vine) akin to Petit Verdot, then called "lambrusquet" in the Jurançonnais, thus tracing an ancestral link with the South Aquitaine terroir.

Cited as early as 1736 by Abbé Bellet, alongside "Grand Verdot", and then by Jean-Baptiste de Secondat in 1785, this grape variety has traversed the centuries. The survey by Dupré de Saint-Maur mentions it in Libourne, testifying to its presence beyond the Médoc. In 1832, A. Jullien already highlighted its importance: "Carmenet, Carménère, Malbek and Verdot alone populate the Médoc vineyards, which provide the first-quality red wines." This distinction between Petit Verdot and Gros Verdot, sometimes blurred, was crucial during the appellation decrees of 1935, when only Petit Verdot was classified as a principal grape variety. A historical competition which, already in the 17th century, saw Bordeaux merchants try in vain to obtain a ban on Gros Verdot from Colbert.

Ampelographic profile

Characteristic	Description
Budburst	Medium early
Flowering	Medium early
Vigour	High
Habit	Upright, requires trellising
Downy mildew sensitivity	Low
Powdery mildew sensitivity	High
Botrytis sensitivity	Medium
Black rot sensitivity	Medium
Ripening	Late (third epoch)
Aromatic profile	Spices (pepper, clove), floral notes (violet), black fruits (blackcurrant), hints of liquorice and cocoa.
Winemaking potential	Provides intense colour, powerful and structured tannins, freshness and significant ageing potential. Mainly used in blends.

Petit Verdot is a demanding grape variety. It thrives in fertile soils without water stress, but above all in warm soils that allow it to reach optimal maturity. This characteristic explains its strong past presence in the palus, particularly after the phylloxera crisis, where flood-prone areas favoured its cultivation and protected it from the pest. Its late ripening, often one of the last of the year, gives the wines it comprises an intense colour, powerful and structured tannins, as well as highly complex spicy and floral notes. It brings a touch of freshness and undeniable ageing potential, even in small proportions, to the balance of blends alongside grape varieties like Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot. It is worth noting its resistance to downy mildew, while being more sensitive to powdery mildew, much like Cabernet Franc.

At Château Cazebonne, we are convinced of the wealth hidden within these forgotten Bordeaux grape varieties, of which Petit Verdot is a magnificent example. We are committed to preserving and enhancing this Bordeaux winegrowing heritage, by replanting and vinifying these varieties that have shaped the identity of our terroirs. This exciting work is made possible by the support of the many wine lovers who have adopted our wines and share our vision of a viticulture that respects its heritage and is resolutely forward-looking. To deepen your knowledge of the fascinating history of Bordeaux grape varieties, we invite you to receive the digital version of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" by visiting our dedicated page Book on the history of Bordeaux grape varieties. Feel free to test your knowledge of grape varieties and wine with our oenological quizzes, and of course to discover all our cuvées available for sale online.