Château de Malle

Jacques de Malle, President of the Bordeaux Parliament, built the château in 1650. The estate passed through three interconnected families over nearly 400 years: the de Malle family, then the Lur-Saluces family, and later the de Bournazel family. Alexandre Eutrope de Lur-Saluces created the celebrated gardens between 1717 and 1724, drawing inspiration from Florentine gardens and the design principles of Versailles. Pierre de Bournazel revitalized the vineyards in the 1950s, and the Countess de Bournazel managed the estate from 1985 until 2024. In April 2024, Luc and Clémence Planty purchased Château de Malle, becoming the first owners outside the founding family lineage in the estate's modern history.

• Founded 1650 by Jacques de Malle, President of Bordeaux Parliament
• Gardens created 1717-1724, inspired by Florentine gardens and Versailles
• Countess de Bournazel managed the estate from 1985 to 2024
• Luc and Clémence Planty became owners in April 2024

The château is a striking example of Italian Renaissance architecture, featuring a U-shaped design and cylindrical towers. Its classification as a French Historic Monument in September 1949 reflects the building's exceptional architectural and cultural significance. The surrounding 6.5 hectares of Italian-style terraced gardens were classified as a Notable Garden of France in 1943, predating the château's own monument status. Alexandre Eutrope de Lur-Saluces shaped these gardens in the early 18th century, making the property as celebrated for its grounds as for its wines.

• U-shaped Italian Renaissance design with cylindrical towers
• Classified French Historic Monument: September 8, 1949
• 6.5 hectares of terraced gardens classified as Notable Garden of France in 1943
• Gardens designed 1717-1724 in the Italian and Versailles tradition

The 50-hectare estate is organized as a single-block vineyard that straddles both the Sauternes and Graves appellations, giving the estate a versatile range of production zones. The soils vary across the property, encompassing gravel, clay, sand, stony sands, and limestone, with optimal exposure throughout. The 28 hectares within the Sauternes appellation are planted primarily to Sémillon (70%), Sauvignon Blanc (28%), and Muscadelle (2%), the classic blend for botrytized sweet wines. The remaining land supports dry white Graves production from Sauvignon Blanc-dominant plantings and red Graves from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The estate is currently certified organic and undergoing a restructuring and replanting program under its new owners.

• Single-block vineyard straddling Sauternes and Graves appellations
• Soils: gravel, clay, sand, stony sands, and limestone
• Sauternes blend: 70% Sémillon, 28% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Muscadelle
• Certified organic; replanting program underway since 2024

Château de Malle produces wines across three styles from its straddling vineyard position. The flagship Château de Malle Sauternes is the Sémillon-dominant botrytized sweet wine that earned its 1855 Second Cru Classé status. M de Malle is the dry white Graves, made with a Sauvignon Blanc-dominant blend of 70%. The red Graves, produced under labels including Château de Cardaillan, draws on the estate's Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot plantings. Additional labels include Château St Hélène, Les Fleurs de Malle, and Château Pessan, reflecting the estate's diverse range of appellations and price points.

• Château de Malle: flagship Sauternes, 2ème Cru Classé
• M de Malle: 70% Sauvignon Blanc dry white Graves
• Château de Cardaillan: red Graves from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
• Additional labels include Les Fleurs de Malle and Château Pessan