Château Petit Bocq: an ongoing success story

12/13

Winegrowers’ portraits

Winegrowers’ portraits Saint-Estèphe

Château Petit Bocq

An ongoing success story

In the early days, in 1989, it was just a holiday home, a haven of peace, in the Haut-Médoc, in Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne. But meetings with Bruno Lemoine, when he was technical manager at Château Montrose, and with Pascal Berteau gradually weighed on events... Gaëtan Lagneaux, a talented doctor of Belgian origin, destined for a bright future in the medical profession, decided in 1993 to invest in his second passion: the art of wine-making.

From the outset, his parents Jacques and Marie gave him their wholehearted support, both financially and in the choice of plots and his progress in winegrowing. From a few acres of vines in the Haut-Médoc, he was advised by other wine producers to invest in a Communal Appellation*. Pursuing his dream, he focused on Saint-Estèphe. Over twenty years, he has acquired 90 plots of vines, all lovingly chosen and acquired with the help of his more pragmatic, management-oriented parents, who chose to follow suit.
A mosaic of 18 hectares of Cru Bourgeois, that often rubs shoulders with its famous neighbours, and is carefully balanced between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A multitude of plots, divided up between the complex terroirs of Saint-Estèphe, are worked exclusively for the property's single grand vin, thus requiring meticulous and conscientious care on a daily basis.
As a doctor, humanist, and winegrower, working in an environmentally aware, sustainable manner was an obvious choice. In 2003, Gaëtan's wine gained Cru Bourgeois Supérieur recognition and he introduced a stylised ladybird as part of the wine's logo and at the entrance to the property. A symbol of commitment to an environmentally friendly approach.

Marie and Jacques Lagneaux help their grandson Adrien on his way,
just as they helped their son, Gaëtan.

In 2010, he chose a new Communal Appellation... And combined his auspicious name** with a touch of humour to create “Lagneaux” in Pauillac, a wine made from vines “penned in” within a vineyard that barely covers one hectare of land. This little gem, a work of art consisting of 3,000 bottles, that he has been able to produce thanks to the experience acquired at Petit Bocq, is a revelation! The 2010 vintage is particularly remarkable. The wine is predominantly Merlot and its harmony can only improve with time.
Relentlessly pursuing perfection, Gaëtan intended to exploit 20 hectares, to plant Petit Verdot vines, to redesign the buildings to create a small village within the village, including the cellar, the house, and the storage area. Not forgetting the extension of the cellar at Lagneaux, in Pauillac. Fortunately Gaëtan's son, Adrien, appears to share the same ambitions and determination.

Like his father, he spent his childhood holidays among the vines; and having studied languages, he has now completed his Master's degree. Adrien's commitment gradually became clear and this year, twenty years after Gaëtan began, he has decided to live on the estate, take over the property and add his own chapter to the story. He too is intent on understanding all of the tasks involved and contributes to the work carried out by the team led by Philippe Mottes, the estate manager, and the cellar master Ramon Rojo, who has worked alongside Gaëtan Lagneaux since the very beginning.

From an “unknown Saint-Estèphe” to the “revelation of Petit Bocq wines”, Adrien intends to further the history of the ladybird and his father's wines. An ongoing success story... where Adrien, a lover of languages, will be able to promote Château Petit Bocq (the 2012 vintage is currently providing very enjoyable drinking) and Lagneaux's limited edition throughout the world.

* which allows the owner to mention the name of the village on his bottles
** a play on words, “l'agneau” meaning the lamb” in French
Florence Varaine
Crédit photo: Guy Charneau