Nestled in the heart of Saint-Estèphe, Château Le Crock is a property of quiet pedigree and profound potential. Since 1903, it has been in the hands of the Cuvelier family, also owners of the esteemed Château Léoville Poyferré in Saint-Julien. Their stewardship has helped shape Le Crock into one of the appellation’s best-kept secrets—a cru with a noble terroir and a distinct voice. Its 32 hectares of vines lie in the northern Médoc, bordered by some of Bordeaux’s most revered names: Cos d’Estournel, Montrose, and Haut-Marbuzet. This proximity is no coincidence—the land here shares the same complex geology of gravelly topsoil and clay subsoils, lending structure, intensity and longevity to the wines. Like much of the Médoc’s finest terroirs, the vineyards overlook the Gironde Estuary, which acts as a natural thermal buffer, helping to create balanced wines even in challenging years.

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The wines of Château Le Crock are classic Saint-Estèphe, yet made with a modern touch. Expect richness, spice and structure, but also suave texture, supple tannins and a core of vibrant fruit. Their ability to charm in youth while ageing gracefully is a hallmark of the estate—a style that has been praised for its consistency and seductive appeal by Revue des Vins de France and Bettane & Desseauve. In 2025, this quality was formally recognised when Le Crock retained its prestigious status as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.

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Much of the estate’s success today can be attributed to the thoughtful leadership of Jonathan Servant, Vineyard Manager since 2015. With a deep respect for the land, he began introducing organic practices soon after his arrival, culminating in Ecocert organic certification from the 2025 vintage. Sustainability is not a slogan here—it is a practice woven into daily decisions, from the vine to the bottle. The vines themselves are a major asset. Averaging 50 years in age, with some of the most prized plots planted just before World War II, they produce smaller yields of highly concentrated fruit. This natural reduction in volume is embraced, allowing the estate to focus unreservedly on quality. The vineyard is planted to the classic Médoc quartet: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Blending these varieties offers flexibility and nuance vintage to vintage. For example, the 2019 Grand Vin—a wine that captured our attention for its depth, finesse and balance—was composed of 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

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In the winery, Cellar Master Yoann Lavigne oversees vinification with precision and care. Grapes are sorted and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel or concrete vats, allowing for gentle extractions that preserve fruit purity and site expression. Yoann works closely with Isabelle Davin, the respected oenologist at Château Léoville Poyferré, ensuring the same level of expertise and attention to detail found in their Grand Cru Classé wines. Ageing takes place over 12 to 15 months in a combination of French oak barrels—30% of which are new each year—and larger 500-litre casks. Recently, the team has introduced clay amphorae, a nod to innovation and the pursuit of freshness, allowing for greater aromatic precision and fruit clarity.

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We’ve long believed that Saint-Estèphe deserves more attention for the character, age-worthiness and elegance it can offer. Château Le Crock embodies all of these qualities with confidence and authenticity. From the vineyard's quiet evolution to the polished final blend in bottle, there’s a sense of thoughtfulness and restraint that speaks volumes. The 2019 vintage sealed the deal: this is a wine—and a story—we want to share.

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