CHÂTEAU MARGAUX

Château Margaux, an estate with centuries of history. With its rich heritage of values, emotions and struggles, Château Margaux is by nature a work of art. Château Margaux owes its renaissance to Pierre Lestonnac, who restructured the estate in 1572. At the very end of the 17th century, the Château occupied 265 hectares of land, a third of which was devoted to vines. In the early 18th century, it was Berlon, a man with a thirst for innovation and ambition, who placed the estate at the heart of modern winemaking. Berlon was the first to vinify red and white grapes separately. Despite its rapid growth, at the end of the century the Château was auctioned off by the revolutionaries as a national asset. Successive owners left their mark on the Château, until its renown was confirmed by the recognition of Château Margaux as a " Premier Grand Cru Classé " in the official Classification of 1855.

The last family to run the estate was André Mentzelopoulos, who bought the property in 1977. Since the 1980s, his daughter Corinne has taken over the reins, joined by her daughter Alexandra in 2012 and her son Alexis in early 2020. Together, they are perpetuating the estate while respecting the values of their family and their predecessors. The development is remarkable. A third biodynamic wine was launched in 2013, along with the introduction of a bottle authentication system.

Geographical location of the estate

Château Margaux belongs to the Left Bank of the Médoc, in the Bordeaux region. The estate is located to the east of Margaux. The vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, on terroirs composed mainly of gravel, clay and limestone. The whites are made from Sauvignon Blanc, and have been since the 1978 vintage, when some 11 hectares of vines were devoted to it. Thanks to its soil and climate, the berries reach harmonious ripeness, giving the wines complexity and finesse.

The estate's wines

Four ranges are represented under the Château Margaux name. Grand Vin, Pavillon Rouge, Pavillon Blanc and Margaux du Château Margaux, the latter being marketed since 2013. Grand Vin is the estate's signature wine. The second wine is Pavillon Rouge, aged in oak barrels for 18 to 20 months, with an aging potential of over 30 years! Pavillon Blanc is rooted in a very old parcel of the estate, with only a third of the harvest bottled. A very limited quantity, of which a large part is bottled in magnums in a quest to optimize ageing. The whites are aged in oak barrels for 6 to 8 months. This range is defined by its fine minerality and remarkable finesse. The Margaux wines are the latest addition to the range. These wines are aged in barrel with the same care as the other wines. The ageing process is much the same as for Pavillon Rouge. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 18 to 20 months. Château Margaux reds are characterized by rose and violet aromas, with hints of black berries on the palate. Highly concentrated tannins, freshness and good length.