The Estate
Château Potensac has belonged to the Delon family for several generations. Located in the northern Médoc, the estate has been passed down through the women of the family—an uncommon legacy in Bordeaux. Today, it is managed by Jean-Hubert Delon, who also oversees the prestigious Châteaux Léoville Las Cases in Saint-Julien and Nénin in Pomerol. In 2003, Potensac was the only estate in the Médoc appellation to receive the distinction of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, highlighting its consistent and recognized quality.
The vineyard covers around 84 hectares surrounding the hamlet of Potensac, in the commune of Ordonnac. It lies on a complex mix of alluvial gravel, red clay, and limestone, offering ideal conditions for growing red grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc thrive here, particularly thanks to very old vines, with some parcels over 80 years old.
Château Potensac stands out for its rigorous vinification and careful ageing, partly in oak barrels previously used for Clos du Marquis. The blend gives prominence to Merlot (around 48%), with a strong proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) and Cabernet Franc (18%), occasionally complemented by Petit Verdot. The style is pure and structured, with the mineral freshness typical of the northern Médoc. True to the Delon philosophy, the wine expresses its terroir with restraint and precision, revealing its full potential after a few years of cellaring.
The Wine
The viticulture at Château Potensac follows a traditional approach, with careful soil management, high planting density, and partial manual harvesting of old vines, some over 80 years old. The vinification is precise and parcel-by-parcel, followed by 14 to 16 months of ageing in French oak barrels, about 30% of which are new, primarily from the former barrel park of Clos du Marquis.
Tasting
Château Potensac offers an elegant nose of dark fruits, blond tobacco, and cedar. On the palate, its classic structure and fine tannins are balanced by a beautiful mineral freshness and a persistent finish.
