The history of Château Brown stretches back to the 12th century, when Aquaitaine (what is now Bordeaux) was under English rule. The name of the estate comes from a Scottsman, John Lewis Brown, who purchased the estate shortly after the French Revolution in the late 18th century. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Château Brown was recognized as one of the flagship producers in Graves, though in the 20th century the estate fell on hard times. In 2004, Jean-Christophe Mau purchased the estate from Bernard Barthe, who, in 1994, began the process of resurrecting the phoenix from the ashes. Jean-Christophe continued the intensive modernization of the vineyards and the cellar begun by Bernard. With his savvy, Jean-Christophe was able to highlight the exceptional quality of Brown’s terroir and wines to Bordeaux insiders, firmly reestablishing the estate’s historic reputation. Today, Château Brown has completed its renaissance and is in its rightful place as an iconic estate in the region, one that delivers the best value in Pessac-Léognan: Grand Cru quality at a petit price.

Le Colombier de Brown — the second wine of the Château — refers to a beautiful stone dovecote set in the grounds facing the château, which was a sign of wealth back in feudal times. The wine enjoys the same love and attention to detail as the Grand Vin, and is meant to be a reflection of different parts of Brown's terroir: specific plots of vines are selected to make a fruitier, lighter, easy-drinking wine to be enjoyed young. In the glass the wine pours a brilliant mid-ruby color with garnet highlights. The nose is generous and inviting showcasing an explosion of fresh red berries, cherries and a soft warming spice intermingled with notes of pipe tobacco. A soft, silky attack effortlessly flows into a rich, medium-bodied wine with flavors of strawberry, red plum and spice framed by bountiful and cheerful tannins. Elegant and well-structured, Le Colombier de Brown is the perfect red Bordeaux to enjoy with great food and good company. Enjoy with grilled steak, lamb and, of course, cheeseburgers alongside an array of delicious roasted vegetables.