Pessac-Léognan AC [peh-SAK leh-oh-NYAHN]

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Pessac-Léognan AC
[peh-SAK leh-oh-NYAHN]

A new APPELLATION created in 1987 out of the northern part of the GRAVES area in France’s BORDEAUX region. Wines in this area were formerly part of the Graves AC, although the use of “Graves-Pessac” or “Graves-Léognan” had been allowed on labels for several years prior to the new appellation’s approval. This northern part of Graves contains more of the desirable gravelly soil than the southern portion and generally makes superior wines. The Pessac-Léognan AC takes in all the CRU CLASSÉ châteaux of Graves. It encompasses ten northerly COMMUNES, two of which—Pessac and Léognan—contribute to the appellation’s name. This appellation’s roster of CHÂTEAUX is led by Haut-Brion, the only non-MÉDOC château to be included in the Classification of 1855 (see Official Wine Classifications of Bordeaux, page 636) and one of only four Bordeaux châteaux to receive a PREMIER CRU ranking at that time. Other noteworthy châteaux include La Mission Haut-Brion, Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Domain De Chevalier, Pape-Clément, Haut-Bailly, Haut-Bergey, La Louvière, and Smith-Haut-Lafitte. The area’s white P wines, which are produced from SAUVIGNON BLANC, SÉMILLON and MUSCADELLE, are made in a CRISP, DRY style. Pessac-Léognan AC’s distinctive, EARTHY red wines—made predominantly from CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CABERNET FRANC, and MERLOT—have a reputation for being of higher quality than the whites.

Related Links: appellation, Graves, Bordeaux, cru classé

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