Château La Garde

Unclassified Château La Garde is one of Pessac-Léognan’s best kept secrets. While the château’s origins date back to the 1700s, it was Louis Eschenauer, a Bordeaux négociant, who started to put it on the map in 1920. However, due to a draconian ruling that only one château per family could be put forward in the 1955 Graves classification, Louis chose his other château, Smith-Haut-Lafitte, to be awarded. La Garde was condemned to a lifetime in the shadows. However, it is not one to overlook. Situated next door to Château Latour-Martillac, whose wines can sell for double the price of La Garde, its terroir is equally excellent. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives on its deep gravel bank and Merlot, planted on clay, thrives equally as well. There is also a tiny portion of vineyard given to white varieties, including Sauvignon Gris. La Garde has been owned by Dourthe since 1990, and they have invested heavily in its facilities and vineyards, most notably careful soil management techniques, plot by plot harvest detailed mapping of the vineyard.