Château la Mission Haut-Brion is on uniquely stony soil in the Pessac-Léognan appellation close to the city of Bordeaux. It is a Cru Classé in the Graves Classification of 1953. The 22.5 hectare red wine vineyard is planted to cabernet sauvignon (46%), merlot (44%) and cabernet franc (10%). The Château wine is vinified in large (180hl) temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats and aged in 100% new French oak for an average of 22 months. Annual production is 6000-7000 dozen. The famous white wine of the Château comes from 3.5 ha planted to Sémillon (62%) and Sauvignon Blanc (38%). Overall planting density is 10,000 vines per hectare (red) and 8000 vines per hectare (white). Since 1983, under the ownership of Domaine Clarence Dillon (which also owns the neighbouring Château Haut-Brion), the entire estate has been renovated – vineyards, winemaking facilities and the Château itself. The property got its name in the 1600s when it was owned by the Catholic Church.

Château Haut-Brion is one of the five First Growths of the 1855 Classification of the Médoc. The Château was established in 1533 by Jean de Pontac, who was the first to plant vineyards on this prime gravelly site, found in the Graves sub-region of Pessac-Léognan. The Chateau is owned today by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, the great-grandson of Clarence Dillon

The history of Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is a tale of two estates. The Château and vineyard known as Pichon Baron was given in dowry to the founder’s daughter when she married Jacques du Pichon Longueville. After the death of their descendent, the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville, in 1850 the estate was again divided - on his deathbed, he gave what became Château Pichon Baron to the men of his family, and what became Château Pichon-Lalande to the women - resulting in, some say, more masculine and sensuous styles of wine respectively!

"Dating back to Roman times, and being one of only four Saint-Émilion producers elevated to the status of Premier Grand Cru Classé, it would seem Château Pavie has rather a lot to live up to - and by all accounts, they are holding up their end of the bargain with this year’s vintage. Since coming under the consultation of renowned Bordeaux-based oenologist Michel Rolland, the Château has gained a reputation for vintages of higher concentration and intensity than were yielded in the past - but this year’s release seems to indicate this historic Château still has the power to surprise."