Château Potensac is one of the rare estates in the Médoc that is not classified as a Cru Bourgeois or a Classified Growth, yet it consistently outperforms many that are. Its wine has such quality and aging potential that it’s often referred to as a “hidden gem” of the Médoc. It even earned the rare designation of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in the early 2000s—one of only nine estates to do so at the time.

The estate has been in the hands of the Delon family for generations—the same family behind the illustrious Château Léoville Las Cases in Saint-Julien, one of Bordeaux’s most respected Second Growths. They’ve applied the same precision and winemaking philosophy to Potensac, despite it being in the less-prestigious northern Médoc. As a result, Potensac has earned a cult-like following for offering top-tier Bordeaux character at a more accessible price.

VINTAGE 2018

The northern Médoc experienced a generally wet and mild winter, followed by cold weather starting in mid-March, which led to a late but uniform budburst and a rapid vegetative development. The hot and dry summer accelerated the ripening of the grapes, while the alternation of cool nights and warm days enhanced the richness while preserving freshness. This 2018 vintage offers ripe, very expressive fruit and a particularly smooth tannic structure. Elegant, indulgent, and fresh, with intense aromas of dark fruit, this is a truly great vintage that fully benefited from exceptionally favorable conditions