Paris, France — It was a well-healed crowd at the Restaurant 122 in the posh 7th arrondissement of Paris in a neighborhood of elegant private mansions housing embassies and French government ministries. But meanwhile in a private room of the restaurant, a wonderful wine tasting was underway with the red and white wines of the Château de France of the Pessac Léognan region, wines that wear the AOP or designated label of origin label. It should be pointed out that Château de France has been owned by the Thomassin family since 1971 and the family is one of the oldest estate owners in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, a relatively recent appellation dating from 1987. Established in the Bordeaux region, the Pessac-Léognan A.O.P wines, from the Graves growing region and which benefit from the protective Landes forest, are known for their elegance, finesse and breeding. The Pessac Léognans of Château de France are no exception. As one of the meccas of the wine world opens in Paris this week, Wine Paris, we take a look at this outstanding Bordeaux.

The wines of Château de France AOP Pessac-Léognan. AOP, the acronym for Protected Designation of Origin, is the European version for AOC, the French acronym for Controlled Designation of Origin. Photos Courtesy Château de France. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette

It all began with a Chateau de France blanc 2023 – AOP Pessac Léognan. The Sauvignon grape variety was dominant with a 20% dash of Sémillon. This turned out to be a refreshing wine, perfect for a very fancy aperitif, a wonderful white Bordeaux. Le Bec en Sabot rouge 2022 – AOP Pessac Léognan offered up equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot making for a very pleasant, balanced wine of red fruit notes with a color of glistening garnet. The Château Coquillas rouge 2022 – AOP Pessac Léognan in which the smoothness of the Merlot grape variety dominated was rich in aromas and well-structured. We imagined it with a very powerful goat cheese. Meanwhile the Chateau de France rouge 2022 – AOP Pessac Léognan proved to be excellent with a fine bouquet and evident potential.

The wines of Château de France AOP Pessac-Léognan. AOP, the acronym for Protected Designation of Origin, is the European version for AOC, the French acronym for Controlled Designation of Origin. Photos Courtesy Château de France. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette

But where these wines really stand out is when they are perfectly paired to a three-course lunch at the Restaurant 122 which specializes in seasonal and market-based products. Chateau de France blanc 2020 – AOP Pessac Léognan was thoroughly enjoyed with a sea bass carpaccio marinated in citrus fruit juices. While a delightfully aged Chateau de France rouge 2016 – AOP Pessac Léognan accompanied a very tender slow-cooked beef cheek in Bordelaise sauce and served with candied carrots. This dish was further enhanced when accompanied by an even richer Chateau de France rouge 2012 – AOP Pessac Léognan. Another Chateau de France rouge – AOP Pessac Léognan from 2020 was served with the dessert course, an Acarigua grand cru chocolate fondant, with chocolate ice-cream.

The vineyards are articulated around the late 18th century Château de France castle which was built upon the foundation of an old manor house whose vaulted cellar remains in place today. The estate received the French label for its sound approach to the environment in 2018 and beehives were installed in the vineyard in 2019. The environmental practices of the estate include reducing energy consumption, methods for treating parasites and the protection of the health and well-being of its employees and neighbors. In recognition for its sound environmental practices the estate was designated one of the Wines of Tomorrow (Vins de Demain) in 2022 by the Fondation du Vin. « We support biodiversity by engaging in practices that preserve and use the natural zones in the heart of our parcels and around our property and so respect the eco-system and beauty of the countryside, » explains estate-owner Arnaud Thomassin who is the second generation of the family to manage the estate.

The family-owned estate which is about nine miles from Bordeaux, has some 100 acres (40 hectares) in the AOC Pessac-Léognan growing region including some 90 acres (36 hectares) of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varieties for the reds and nearly 10 acres (4 hectares) of Sauvignon and Sémillon for the whites. The house’s red and white wines are both recognized and highly regarded in France and abroad. The house is a member of the Union of the Grands Crus of Bordeaux and the scenic estate is open to visits by reservation. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. 98 Avenue de Mont de Marsan, 33850 Léognan, France, Tel: + 33 (0)5 56 64 75 39. https://chateau-de-france.com/

And for a fine dining experience: https://www.restaurant-le122.fr/en/