France · Bordeaux

Chateau La Louviere

Château La Louvière is a major Pessac-Léognan estate in the Graves appellation of Bordeaux, owned by André Lurton who purchased it in 1965 and invested heavily in restoring the 18th-century château and vineyards. The estate covers approximately 55 hectares of red vines and 10 hectares of white, and was a notable omission from the 1959 Graves classification despite producing wines widely considered equivalent to some classified peers. Although La Louvière was not classified, it was included in the unofficial 'Cru Classé equivalent' discussions for many years. The rouge averages $68 at auction across 106 lots, with the price range of $1–$1,195 reflecting the spread between damaged single-bottle lots and older vintages in exceptional condition. The estate's architectural centerpiece — the Louis XIV-style château designed by Victor Louis, architect of the Bordeaux Grand Théâtre — makes it among the most photographed Bordeaux estates. Winemaking follows the traditional Pessac-Léognan model: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon for whites, with the reds aged in 50–60% new French oak. Auction performance is solid but unspectacular relative to classified Graves estates; the non-classified status suppresses secondary market premiums despite consistent quality.