Pauillac Bordeaux

Paulliac is among France's most prestigious wine-growing regions. It is an "appellation d'origine contrôlée," or AOC, which translates to "controlled designation of origin." Paulliac is also home to three of the five first-growth wineries: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild.

The AOC of Paulliac is quite small with just 3,000 acres on the left bank of the Gironde River. Despite its small size, the gravel soil of Paulliac has produced remarkable wines for well over a century. Paulliac has proven itself as a fertile ground for cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and malbec.

Tasting notes for wines from Pauillac often include notes of blackcurrents, plums, and cigar-box. Food matches include game and roasted meats.

Quick Facts

• Wine critic and author Hugh Johnson famously said, "If one had to single out one commune of Bordeaux to head the list, there would be no argument. It would be Pauillac"
• Malbec used to be the Paulliac's dominant wine grape, but has since been overtaken by cabernet sauvignon
• In 2010, an 1869 vintage bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild sold at auction for $176,303