The first traces of vines at Malle go back to the 15th Century. It is generally thought that until the middle of the 17th Century the white wines in the Sauternes region were actually dry wines, and the oldest known and direct reference to a vintage of sweet wines goes back to 1666. The 1855 classification served as confirmation of the great quality of the sweet white wine of Château de Malle.
Château de Malle is a classified historic monument; a truly exquisite residence surrounded by magnificent Italian style gardens. Built at the beginning of the 17th Century by Jacques de Malle, a descendant of an old Preignac family and President of the Parliament of Bordeaux, the Château has remained in the same family without ever changing hands – a stupendous achievement matched by few families in Bordeaux. The estate enjoys, amongst other things, a privileged geographical situation: The vineyard stretches over some of the most sought after land of three communes, Preignac, Toulenne and Fargues. It is also situated across two prestigious areas of controlled appellation of origin; namely, Graves and Sauternes. Moreover, the excellent quality of the sweet wine from Château de Malle was acknowledged in the famous classification of 1855 destined for the Universal Exposition in Paris as per Imperial decree.
The estate has, over the centuries, known numerous trials and tribulations—but also, thankfully, a share of good fortune. The Château was not inhabited regularly for practically two generations. In the early fifties Pierre de Bournazel took over the property inherited from his uncle and godfather, Pierre de Lur-Saluces. He was a man possessed by a love of the land and of stone and he decided to coax back life into the buildings and vineyards which were in a state of considerable neglect. He rebuilt the fermentation cellar, studied estate management, followed a course in oenology and together, with the help of his wife, made it a point of honour to re-establish the initial shape and form of the rooms of the Château whilst retaining their original appearance.
In 1956 he replanted the entire vineyard which had been destroyed by frost. Pierre de Bournazel became, as time went by, a major figure in the viticultural world of Bordeaux. He became the president of the Classified Growth Association of Sauternes and Barsac and in 1959 created the “Commanderie du Bontemps de Sauternes et Barsac”. Since the death in 1985 of her husband the Countess de Bournazel has taken great pains to continue the magnificent task which he commenced. Whilst continuing with the work of renovating to its previous splendour both the Château and the gardens, she has also managed to surround herself with an efficient team, responsible for continuing the task of enhancing the quality and value of the vineyard. She is today seconded by her sons. Château de Malle produces three excellent and prestigious wines - Château de Malle, Sauternes, “Grand Cru Classé” Great Classified Growth in 1855, Château de Cardaillan, a red Graves, and the M. de Malle, a dry white Graves.
The vines take up 50 hectares, of which 28 Ha is dedicated to Sauternes sweet wine, 20 hectares is dedicated to Red Graves and 3 Ha is set aside for White Graves.
PDF
Excel
