Appellation : Cadillac – Côtes de Bordeaux
Château de Ricaud
Located south of Bordeaux, near Cadillac, Château de Ricaud’s vineyards unfold in the heart of a natural amphitheater, alternating clay slopes and plots of fine gravel. While the estate’s origins date back to the Middle Ages, its winemaking history truly begins with William Wells, a wealthy landowner, who acquired the property in 1872, dominated by an impressive neo-Gothic château. His son, Maurice, brought it renown by producing a Loupiac that was awarded numerous medals in Paris, London, and Brussels as early as 1897. Captivated by a 1929 Ricaud Loupiac, Alain Thiénot acquired the estate in 1980. He developed the production of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux red wines and, in 2007, entrusted the management of the vineyard, now predominantly planted with red grape varieties, to Maison Dourthe.
Château de Ricaud
Appellation : Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux
Located south of Bordeaux, near Cadillac, Château de Ricaud’s vineyards unfold in the heart of a natural amphitheater, alternating clay slopes and plots of fine gravel. While the estate’s origins date back to the Middle Ages, its winemaking history truly begins with William Wells, a wealthy landowner, who acquired the property in 1872, dominated by an impressive neo-Gothic château. His son, Maurice, brought it renown by producing a Loupiac that was awarded numerous medals in Paris, London, and Brussels as early as 1897. Captivated by a 1929 Ricaud Loupiac, Alain Thiénot acquired the estate in 1980. He developed the production of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux red wines and, in 2007, entrusted the management of the vineyard, now predominantly planted with red grape varieties, to Maison Dourthe.
Le mot du propriétaire.
“Ricaud is at first a story of passion, born from a memorable tasting: that of a 1929 Loupiac that won over my father. Since its acquisition in 1980, this vineyard nestled in a natural amphitheater has become a place close to our hearts, where we gather as a family during the holidays.
Today, our wines embody a dual identity: a preserved heritage and accessible modernity. The white Bordeaux seduces with its freshness and tension, while the red Cadillac-Côtes de Bordeaux focuses on fruit expression, without aging in new barrels, for immediate enjoyment. As for Ricaud Grand Vin, it continues the tradition of wines for aging, driven by Cabernets, for enthusiasts seeking long-term enjoyment.” Stanislas Thiénot
Zoom sur le Château.
Surface
56 Ha Red
9,5 Ha White
Colors
Red
White
Aging
Château de Ricaud Blanc: Vinification: in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks / Aging: on fine lees
Château de Ricaud Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux: Vinification: in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks / Aging: 12 months in oak barrels, on fine lees
Château de Ricaud Loupiac: Vinification: Alcoholic fermentation in barrels / Aging: 12 months in oak barrels.
Château de Ricaud Grand Vin: Vinification: in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks / Aging: 12 months in new oak barrels, on fine lees.
Grapes variety
47 Ha merlot
6 Ha cabernet-sauvignon
2 Ha cabernet franc
1 Ha petit verdot
7 Ha sémillon
2,5 Ha sauvignon blanc
Environmental Initiatives
Terra Vitis – HVE3
Open to the public
By appointment only for
professionals
Le vin.
Château de Ricaud Blanc :
The wine debuts with aromas of white fruits – predominantly peach – together with tropical fruit notes. Impressively balanced on the palate, encapsulating the freshness of sauvignon and the lush richness of semillon, majority grape in the blend. The wine culminates in a fresh, harmonious finish.
Aging Potential: 3 to 5 years
Food & Wine Pairings: aperitif, seafood and fish, summer salads
Château de Ricaud Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux :
Concentrated in appearance. The sappy nose seduces from the outset, unleashing appealing spicy notes of white pepper and ripe fruits. Crunchy and taut on the palate, underpinned by an all-encompassing tannic structure. Fresh, savoury notes culminate in a lingering, attractive finish.
Aging Potential: 5 to 10 years
Food & Wine Pairings: red meats, poultry, firm cheeses
Château de Ricaud Loupiac :
Magnificent golden appearance. The appealingly fresh bouquet is marked by notes of citrus fruits and gentle spices. The aromas are echoed on the generous palate, combined with typical ‘noble rot’ characters of oven-roasted peach and orange peel. Well balanced overall, the acidity and richness are in perfect harmony and the wine culminates in a long, zesty and intensely aromatic finish.
Aging Potential: 5 to 15 years
Food & Wine Pairings: blue cheeses, aged Comté, exotic dishes, citrus-based desserts
Château de Ricaud Grand Vin :
Intense, almost jet-black in appearance. The complex bouquet harmoniously melds notes of cassis with black cherry and violet, with a touch of gentle spice to enhance the overall effect. The impressive intensity of the aromas captivates from the very outset. Remarkably well-balanced in structure, the perfectly integrated tannins impart silky texture of great finesse. The wine culminates in a lengthy, fresh and delicate finish.
Aging Potential: 5 to 15 years
Food & Wine Pairings: red meats, duck, uncooked pressed cheeses
