Nicolas Seillan, seventh generation vigneron and winemaker for Château Lassègue, is pleased to announce that the historic estate has been elevated to Grand Cru Classé status.
The most recent classification was announced on September 8 by Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO), the authority responsible for France’s appellation system. The classification, which takes place every ten years, recognizes the excellence of an estate’s terroir, vineyards, wines, reputation, and the estate’s management. With the recent announcement, Château Lassègue becomes one of 71 Châteaux in the appellation classified as Grand Cru Classé.
“I am very honored with the promotion of Lassègue to Grand Cru Classé status,” commented Nicolas. “It is with pride and deep gratitude that I share this wonderful news with each and every person who has worked with passion alongside us over the years, helping to bring this esteemed distinction to fruition.”
Jointly owned by the Jackson and Seillan families, the 36-hectare estate is located on the Côte de Saint-Émilion and is blessed with a perfect south by southwest orientation. Planted to 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the average age of the vines is between 50 – 60 years old, with many even older.
The terroir is one of the most diverse in the appellation with more than ten different soil types identified from the crest of Saint-Émilion’s famous limestone plateau made up of calcareous soils with asteria limestone, to the slopes with clay and varying amounts of limestone, to the bottom of the hill that are primarily comprised of silica and gravel.
The terroir-driven Lassègue is the first wine of the estate. It is powerful and complex, crafted from opulent and elegant hillside fruit which is grown, harvested, vinified, and aged according to the Seillan family’s distinct micro-cru philosophy. The harmony of Merlot and the ample use of Cabernet Franc is complemented by the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon in this emblematic wine of Saint-Émilion.
Barbara Banke, chairman and proprietor of Jackson Family Wines, and co-owner of Château Lassègue said, “My sincere congratulations to everyone on the Lassègue team. This has been a true labor of love for more than twenty years among our two families.”
“Along with Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke, we have been united in our vision and confidence over the past twenty-five years to elevate the quality of our wines while always respecting the soil,” said Pierre Seillan, co-owner of Château Lassègue and international vigneron who has been crafting wines in Bordeaux, Sonoma, Tuscany and Gascony for over fifty years. “I would like to thank my wife Monique and my two children, Nicolas and Hélène and their families, for their support throughout the years and for their respective visions that have contributed to improving the vineyards, the wines and our communications.”
Earlier this year, Nicolas Seillan was appointed winemaker for the estate after working as General Manager for more than 15 years. Seillan works alongside his father, the iconic Vigneron Pierre Seillan, who has guided Château Lassègue since 2003.
It was also announced that Château Lassègue was granted level 3 HVE (High Environmental Value) certification. The accreditation is awarded by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food to agricultural properties that promote and guarantee environmentally friendly farming practices. Level 3 is the most stringent tier of the voluntary certification process. The wines of Château Lassègue will carry the HVE seal on each bottle beginning with the 2020 vintage.
