Château Fourcas Dupré Among Bordeaux's Grand Crus

Château Fourcas Dupré, located in the Listrac-Médoc appellation in the Bordeaux region, is owned by Patrice and Ghislain Pagès. Having inherited the estate from their father, they have elevated the property to the level of Bordeaux’s grands crus by producing terroir-driven wines that are unique and representative of an exceptional appellation.

A family-owned estate that stands alongside Bordeaux's grand cru wines

Patrice and Ghislain work at the family estate, Château Fourcas Dupré, in the Listrac-Médoc appellation in the Bordeaux region. The estate was passed down to them by their father: “My family produced wine and grain in Tunisia for many years. When we returned to France, my father invested in a small estate in the Médoc with a friend: Château Fourcas Dupré,” says Ghislain.

The estate is small, and compared to the châteaux falling into ruin and the uprooted vineyards in the Médoc, Château Fourcas Dupré, with its production in good shape, stands out: a sublime terroir, a rich history, exceptional wines… “The château is a historic Bordeaux estate. The name has existed since 1843. We are part of the Union des Grands Crus, which means our wines are tasted alongside all of Bordeaux’s classified growths. Fourcas Dupré wines are an alternative to the grands crus,” emphasizes Ghislain.

While Patrice took over the estate as manager, Ghislain spent a few years gaining experience elsewhere. Until one day, the two brothers came to a grim realization: “Little by little, the appreciation for wine has been lost in the Bordeaux region. Wine lovers were drinking labels, drinking brands. In the 2000s, try to tell a Pauillac from a Moulis! It was becoming impossible. People were drinking Bordeaux less for the taste itself than for the brand.”

One goal is clear: to promote the estate and the Fourcas Dupré name. “We want people to drink a Fourcas Dupré for its taste—the taste of the wine, the taste of the terroir,” the winemaker insists.

With that in mind, he joined the château’s team to work alongside his brother in the sales department.

To create terroir-driven wines that reflect Château Fourcas Dupré

With this in mind, the two brothers set out to transform the image of their wines. “We’ve really worked on the product to make French and international consumers want to drink our wines again.”

Much to Ghislain’s delight, the results are now evident: “By bringing out the terroir’s character, the wines have gained in finesse, complexity, and balance.” Château Fourcas Dupré is not the only one to have embarked on this shift; many winemakers have returned to more authentic wines and terroir profiles, notably by limiting the use of oak barrels. Ghislain is delighted: “Fortunately, we are rediscovering the concept of the taste of wine. In that sense, we have been something of a pioneer.”

The exceptional terroir of Listrac-Médoc

Without a doubt, it would have been a shame for the Pagès family to miss out on this opportunity, given just how unique the Listrac-Médoc terroir—where the Château’s vineyards are located—truly is.

Ghislain describes him with great enthusiasm and pride:

“We want to return to the flavors of the terroir because we have an exceptional terroir. We have Pyrenean gravel and a clay-limestone subsoil. Very rarely, we also have mixed gravel—clay soils mixed with Pyrenean gravel. It’s both amazing and magical.”

Our "Coup de Coeur" selections from Domaine Fourcas Dupré:
.Château Bellevue Laffont Red 2014
.Château Fourcas Dupré Red 2011
.Cuvée Hautes Terres 2014

Ghislain Pagès: “I want people to drink my wine because it’s different from the rest.”

This unique terroir makes the Médoc the Bordeaux appellation with the highest proportion of Merlot. This iconic Bordeaux grape variety is the primary component of the Château’s “Hautes Terres ” cuvée.

“We wanted a modern, contemporary wine that still reflects its terroir.” To achieve this, the winemakers had to make changes to their winemaking processes: lower temperatures, shorter maceration times to extract the fruit without overly harsh tannins, and barrel aging for only 50% of the cuvée…. Ghislain is extremely pleased with the result: “Hautes Terres is a wine that is both fruity and relatively oaky. We’re working with a very classic oak profile, yet at the same time, we retain the minerality that is the hallmark of Fourcas Dupré and the Pyrenean gravel soils.”

In winemaking, every experience brings its own lessons and expertise. In crafting this cuvée, the winemakers have rethought their production methods as a whole. Ghislain explains: “We’re really not focused on extraction. We’ve lowered fermentation temperatures and reduced maceration times. Making the Hautes Terres wine has taught us a great deal about crafting fine wine.”

Ultimately, the wines of Château Fourcas Dupré offer a unique flavor profile that is characteristic of the distinctive terroir of Listrac-Médoc: “All our wines taste different from those of other appellations. They have a style that is unique to Fourcas Dupré.” The icing on the cake: prices that aren’t inflated and remain affordable for all wine lovers. See for yourself on Les Grappes.

The winegrower's craft: a passion

For Ghislain, working with nature comes naturally: “I grew up in the vineyards on the estate. When I’m out among the vines, I feel incredibly energized; I want to do so many things. It’s in my blood—I can’t help myself.” Added to his passion for the vines is his passion for wine… “I love the taste of wine. It’s a product I’ve always loved”… culture and tradition—all the ingredients are there to describe a magnificent profession.

“In the wine world, we often say that wine is 12% alcohol and 78% culture. It’s a craft product. When you make wine in France, you feel a bit like an ambassador. The product is fabulous. It has a great reputation. People have certain expectations, whether they’re close to you or far away.” He concludes: “We all work in this industry out of passion.”