Thirteen generations on the Gironde
Château du Moulin Rouge has stood in Cussac-Fort-Médoc since the 18th century — and has belonged to the Pelon-Ribeiro family without interruption to this day. Thirteen generations have tended the vines, expanded the cellars, and further developed the methods without losing the thread of tradition. The winery is located on the Route des Grands Crus, geographically exactly between the appellations of Margaux in the south and Saint-Julien in the north — a location that has led quite a few experts to compare the Château's wines with those of Saint-Julien. Today, Lucie Secret and Geoffrey Ribeiro lead the estate as the 13th generation and have added a clear ecological chapter to their family's heritage.
Manual labor in the vineyard, precision in the cellar
The 27 hectares of vineyards lie on gravelly hilltops that benefit from the immediate proximity of the Gironde estuary: the water acts as a natural heat reservoir and balances temperature fluctuations, which promotes even, slow ripening of the grapes. The vines have been standing for an average of 45 years — an age that stands for concentrated yields and expressive wines. In the vineyard, the team works according to classic Médoc methods: Guyot training, consistent soil cultivation, canopy management, and manual harvesting with double selection in the cellar. Since the 2017 vintage, the new generation has had the winery certified according to the HVE Level 3 standard (Haute Valeur Environnementale) — the highest environmental certificate that France awards to agricultural businesses. In the cellar, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks is followed by aging for twelve months in French oak barrels, one-third of which are renewed annually.
Structure and fruit — the style of the Haut-Médoc site
The heart of the range is the Château du Moulin Rouge Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois: a cuvée of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot portion brings accessibility and red fruit, Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine structure and depth, and Cabernet Franc contributes herbal spice. In the glass, dark cherry, ripe blackberry, traces of spice, and a subtle wood frame appear — with a tannin structure typical of the location between two famous neighboring appellations: firmer than a classic Margaux, yet finer than many more northern Haut-Médoc wines. As a second wine, L'Ecuyer du Moulin Rouge complements the range. Best served with dark poultry, rack of lamb, or strong hard cheese — ideally at 16–18 °C.
