Château Fourcas Dupré alongside the great Bordeaux wines

Château Fourcas Dupré, in the Listrac-Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, belongs to Patrice and Ghislain Pagès . Inheriting the estate from their father, they are elevating it to the level of the great Bordeaux wines by producing terroir-driven wines that are unique and representative of this exceptional appellation. Pragmatic and realistic, Ghislain pursues his project with great passion and curiosity.

A family estate that sits alongside the great wines of Bordeaux

Patrice and Ghislain work on the family estate Fourcas Dupré in the Listrac-Médoc appellation in the Bordeaux region. This estate was passed down to them by their father: “ My family produced wine and cereals in Tunisia for 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 property is small, and compared to the castles falling into ruin and the vineyards uprooted in the Médoc, Château Fourcas Dupré, with its production in good condition, stands out: a sublime terroir, a history, exceptional wines… “ The château is a historic Bordeaux property. The name has existed since 1843. We are in the Union des Grands Crus, which means that our wines are tasted alongside all the classified growths of Bordeaux. 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 honing his skills elsewhere. Until the day the two brothers made a terrible observation: " Little by little, the taste for wine was lost in the Bordeaux region. Wine lovers were drinking labels, brands. In the 2000s, just try to tell a Pauillac from a Moulis! It was becoming impossible. People were drinking less Bordeaux for the taste itself than for the brand."

One objective then becomes clear: to enhance the value of the château 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, " insists the winemaker.

It was with this idea in mind that he joined the castle team to work alongside his brother in the commercial side.

To create terroir wines representing Château Fourcas Dupré

Based on this observation, the two brothers set about transforming the image of their wines. " We really worked on the product in a way that would make French and international consumers want to drink our wines again. "

To Ghislain's great delight, the results are now evident: " By developing a taste for the terroir, the wines have gained in finesse, complexity, and balance ." Château Fourcas Dupré isn't the only one to have embarked on this shift; many winemakers have returned to more authentic wines, reflecting the character of their terroir, notably by limiting the use of oak barrels. Ghislain is thrilled: " Fortunately, we are rediscovering the true meaning of wine. In that sense, we were somewhat pioneers ."

The exceptional terroir of Listrac-Médoc

Without a doubt, it would have been a shame for the Pagès family to miss this opportunity, as the terroir of Listrac-Médoc , on which the Château's vines grow, is so unique.

Ghislain describes it with great enthusiasm and pride:

“ We want to return to the taste of the terroir because we have an exceptional terroir. We have Pyrenean gravels and a clay-limestone subsoil. Very rarely, we also have mixed gravels. These are clay soils mixed with Pyrenean gravels. It's both wonderful and magical. ”

Our favorite wines from Domaine Fourcas Dupré:
Château Bellevue Laffont Rouge 2014
Château Fourcas Dupré Red 2011
. Hautes Terres 2014 vintage

Ghislain Pagès: "I want people to drink my wine because it's different from others."

This unique terroir makes the Médoc the Bordeaux appellation with the highest proportion of Merlot. This emblematic Bordeaux grape variety is predominant in the Château's " Hautes Terres " cuvée.

“ We wanted a modern, contemporary wine that would also remain a wine of terroir.” To achieve this, the winemakers had to make changes to their winemaking processes: lower temperatures, shorter maceration times to extract the fruit without harsh tannins, and barrel aging for only 50% of the blend. Ghislain is extremely pleased with the result: “ Hautes Terres is a wine that is both fruity and relatively oaky. We have very classic oak influence, and at the same time, we retain the minerality that is the hallmark of Fourcas Dupré and the gravelly soils of the Pyrenees .”

In winemaking, every experience brings its own set of learning and expertise. With the creation of this vintage, the winemakers have reworked their overall production methods. Ghislain explains: “ We’re definitely not focused on extraction. We’ve reduced fermentation temperatures and shortened maceration times. Making the Hautes Terres wine has taught us a great deal about crafting our grand vin. ”

Ultimately, the wines of Château Fourcas Dupré offer a unique taste specific to the singular terroir of Listrac-Médoc: " All our wines taste different from other appellations. They have a style all their own, Fourcas Dupré. " And the icing on the cake : prices that aren't exorbitant and remain affordable for all wine lovers. See for yourself at Les Grappes.

The winemaker's profession: a passion

For Ghislain, working with nature is second nature: “ I grew up in the vineyard on the property. When I'm among the vines, I feel incredibly energetic, I want to do so many things. It's in my blood, I can't help it .” 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. ”… With its blend of culture and tradition, all the ingredients are there to describe a truly wonderful profession.

“ In the world of wine, it’s often said that it’s 12% alcohol and 78% culture. It’s a craft product. When you produce wine in France, you feel a bit like an ambassador. The product is fabulous. It enjoys a great reputation. There’s an expectation from people, whether they’re near or far .” He concludes: “ We all work in this profession out of passion. ”

Manon Mouly (for Les Grappes )