Château Rouget

Château Rouget is a Pomerol estate which punches above its weight. Its reputation was firmly established by the end of the 19th century when it was regarded as one of the top five estates in Pomerol. Although it maintained a consistent output during the 20th century, it wasn’t until Jean-Pierre Labruyère purchased it in 1992 that Rouget once again began to attract attention. The Labruyères’ wine credentials included holdings in Beaujolais and ownership of Domaine Jacques Prieur in Burgundy. They recognised Rouget’s prime terroir, overlooking the Barbanne River and surrounded by well-known properties including Clos l’Eglise, Clinet and La Croix de Gay. Jean-Pierre completely revitalised the estate - the cellar was modernised, poorer plots of vines were sold off and newer ones purchased, culminating in its current 17 hectares of Merlot and Cabernet Franc split across three parcels in Pomerol. Edouard, Jean-Pierre’s son, is now at the helm and brings a Burgundian approach to his winemaking with hand-harvesting, careful sorting and sometimes whole-bunch fermentation.