Pauillac

Pauillac is a commune in the Gironde department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France. It lies on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, in the Médoc subregion, between the towns of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle and Saint-Estèphe. Pauillac is part of the Haut-Médoc appellation and is renowned for its red wines, produced mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends. The commune hosts a concentration of prestigious wine estates and several classified growths.

The landscape features gravel soils, well drained, with some lighter clay lenses, which together with a maritime climate favor late ripening of tannic red wines rich in structure and aging potential. Typical wines blend Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes Petit Verdot, producing long-lived wines with backbone.

Historically, Pauillac gains fame from its wine trade; in the 19th century it developed as a major wine region. The 1855 Bordeaux Classification includes three Pauillac estates among its first growths: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild (the latter promoted to first growth status in 1973). The area also features other noted properties such as Château Lynch-Bages, Château Pontet-Canet, and Château Pichon Baron, among others.

Today Pauillac's economy centers on viticulture, wine tourism, and related industries. The village itself offers cellars, châteaux, and riverfront views along the Gironde.