The winery is located in the municipality of Moulis in the area of the same name in the Médoc (Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux). It was last classified as a Cru Bourgeois in the Bordeaux classification according to the old system, which is no longer valid, in 2003. The name is derived from "Mauvais cailloux" (bad rock), which refers to the stony soil that is unfavourable for growing cereals. However, this soil is ideal for growing grapes. The origins date back to 1871, when the Petite-Laroche family of wine merchants bought property and built a wine warehouse near the railway station in Moulis. J. Petite-Laroche had the château built in 1875 as a wedding present for his wife. Incidentally, towards the end of the 19th century, the estate was even purveyor to the imperial and royal court (Vienna). Purveyor to the Court (Vienna) in the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy.
The estate was finally acquired in 1929 by the brothers André (1901-1975) and Roger Dourthe (1900-1984), who were active in the wine trade. It is now run by the sixth generation of the Dourthe family. In 1987, a wine-growing museum with many exhibits was opened. The vineyards cover 63 hectares of vines in the communes of Moulis and Listrac-Médoc. They are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (41%) and Petit Verdot (6%). The long-lasting red wine matures for 18 to 20 months in 50 to 75% new barriques. The second wine is called "Château Cap de Haut Maucaillou".
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Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi