Château Picard

The estate

Picard stands in the heart of the village of Saint-Estèphe, and it was classified Cru Bourgeois in 1932. It was the last property bought by Mähler-Besse, the Bordeaux house of wines and spirits founded in 1892 by Frédérik Mähler, who had left the Netherlands at 20. The house acquired it in 1997, wanting an estate small enough to keep every stage of the wine in its own hands. It renovated the cellars, built in the style of Napoleon III, and equipped them to bring the harvest in by gravity.

The 8 hectares lie on a clay soil full of the calcified remains of shells and sea urchins, planted 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, with vines 30 years old on average. After fermentation the wine macerates for 15 to 20 days and is then aged 12 to 18 months in oak barrels; the estate makes about 45,000 bottles. Picard was a Cru Bourgeois in the classifications of 2020 and 2025.

At a glance

Appellation

Saint-Estèphe

Commune

Saint-Estèphe, in the heart of the village

Classification

Cru Bourgeois in 1932, 2020 and 2025

Owner

Mähler-Besse, since 1997

Vineyard

8 hectares; vines 30 years old on average

Ground

Clay, with calcified remains of shells and sea urchins

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Merlot 15%

Cellar

Napoleon III cellars; harvest brought in by gravity; 15 to 20 days of maceration; 12 to 18 months in oak barrels

Production

About 45,000 bottles

Wines

Château Picard

The house

Mähler-Besse, Bordeaux, founded in 1892; also co-owner of Château Palmer, Margaux, since 1938

Sources: Mähler-Besse, Château Picard · Mähler-Besse, Château Picard, technical sheet · Mähler-Besse, the history of the house · Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc, Château Picard · Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc, the classification of 2025 · Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc, the classification of 2020