Chateau Margaux

History of Château Margaux 

The history of Château Margaux dates back to the 12th century, when the estate, then known as La Mothe de Margaux, was a strategic property near the Gironde, dedicated to agricultural crops rather than vines. It was not until the end of the 16th century, under the stewardship of the de Lestonnac family, that the estate began its transformation into an exceptional vineyard. From 1572, Pierre de Lestonnac restructured the property, laying the foundations for what would become a landmark of Bordeaux viticulture. By the end of the 17th century, Château Margaux extended over 265 hectares, a third of which was devoted to vines — a configuration that remains remarkably stable to this day.

In the 18th century, the estate grew in renown. In 1771, its wines were the first clarets to be sold at auction at Christie's, and Thomas Jefferson, future President of the United States, praised their exceptional quality, declaring that no better bottle existed in Bordeaux. In 1810, the Marquis de la Colonilla commissioned the construction of the current château, a neo-Palladian masterpiece designed by architect Louis Combes, today classified as a historic monument. The 1855 classification consecrated Château Margaux as a Premier Grand Cru Classé, the only wine awarded 20/20, confirming its supremacy.

After a difficult period marked by the French Revolution and the ravages of phylloxera in the 19th century, the estate regained its lustre in 1977 under the direction of André Mentzelopoulos. This visionary modernised the facilities and restored the prestige of Château Margaux. Upon his death in 1980, his daughter Corinne Mentzelopoulos took over, continuing her father's work with the assistance of consultants such as Émile Peynaud and Paul Pontallier. In 2023, a new generation took the helm: Alexis Mentzelopoulos became managing director, while Alexandra Mentzelopoulos chairs the supervisory board. This transition marks a new era for Château Margaux, ever faithful to its heritage while embracing innovation.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Margaux

The terroir of Château Margaux lies at the heart of its wines' identity. Situated on a ridge of clay-limestone gravel, the vineyard extends over 82 hectares for the red grape varieties and 11 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc dedicated to the Pavillon Blanc. This unique terroir, particularly well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, which accounts for 75% of the plantings, imparts incomparable structure, depth and freshness to the wines. The 20% of Merlot contributes roundness and softness, while the Petit Verdot (3%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) enrich the aromatic complexity.

The jewel of the estate is the Puch Sem Peyre, a 20-hectare plot identified as early as the 17th century for its exceptional quality. This terroir, protected from disease and frost by favourable climatic conditions, produces grapes of remarkable finesse and elegance, with distinctive floral notes. The planting density, at 10,000 vines per hectare, encourages optimal concentration of aromas, while the average age of the vines, approximately 35 years, guarantees harmonious maturity. Certain Cabernet Sauvignon plots even reach 80 years of age, lending a unique depth to the great vintages.

Since 2017, Château Margaux has practised 100% organic viticulture for its Grand Vin, with biodynamic experiments on a one-hectare plot. These practices, combined with careful trellising and bunch thinning, make it possible to limit yields to approximately 40 hectolitres per hectare, ensuring optimal quality. The estate also adapts the orientation of its vines to counter the effects of climate change, shifting from a south-west to a north-east exposure in order to preserve the freshness of the grapes.

Vinifications at Château Margaux 

Vinification at Château Margaux combines tradition and innovation, in cellars modernised in 2015 by architect Norman Foster. The grapes, harvested by hand in small crates, undergo rigorous sorting in the vineyard and upon reception to retain only the finest fruit. Unlike some estates, Château Margaux favours manual sorting over optical sorting, ensuring an unrivalled level of precision in selection.

The vinification of the red wines takes place in a combination of truncated conical wooden vats, a legacy of tradition, and smaller stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise parcel-by-parcel vinification. Since 2009, the estate has used 50 vats for 40 plots, offering greater flexibility to isolate the finest expressions of the terroir. Alcoholic fermentation is controlled to preserve the yeasts, with pump-overs encouraging the extraction of aromatic compounds. Malolactic fermentation takes place mainly in vat, except for the press wine, which undergoes it in barrel.

The ageing of the red wines, lasting 18 to 24 months, takes place in 100% new French oak barrels, one third of which are crafted on site by the estate's cooper. This practice ensures optimal interaction between the wine and the wood, enhancing the complexity and longevity of the cuvées. For the Pavillon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc grapes are whole-bunch pressed without skin contact, fermented in stainless steel tanks before ageing for 7 to 8 months in barrels (33% new). This process, without malolactic fermentation, preserves the freshness and acidity of the white wine.

The blending, a key moment in the vinification process, is a true act of creation. Carried out in January for the red wines and in March for the white, it brings the team together for meticulous tastings to compose the three red wines (Château Margaux, Pavillon Rouge, Margaux du Château Margaux) and the Pavillon Blanc. This rigorous process, combined with a traceability system using laser marking (since 1989) and bubble coding (since 2011), guarantees the authenticity and quality of the bottles.

The cuvées of Château Margaux

Château Margaux - Le Grand Vin

Château Margaux, the estate's Grand Vin, is a global icon, recognised since the 17th century for its finesse, elegance and complexity. Composed on average of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine fully expresses the terroir of Puch Sem Peyre with aromas of blackcurrant, truffle and violet. Its tannic concentration, never astringent, is accompanied by remarkable freshness, offering exceptional ageing potential, sometimes beyond 60 years. The great vintages, such as 2015, 2019 and 2022, are masterpieces of emotion, while the more modest vintages captivate with their early subtlety. Approximately 12,000 cases are produced annually, reflecting a draconian selection process.

Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux

The Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux, the second wine officially created in 1906, is far more than a simple complement. Sourced from plots formerly incorporated into the Grand Vin, it shares similar characteristics: pure aromas, a velvety texture and a balance between power and softness. With approximately 16,000 cases per year, this wine, ready to drink earlier, offers excellent ageing potential (30 to 40 years). Its quality has drawn ever closer to that of the Grand Vin thanks to increasingly strict selection since the 1990s.

Margaux du Château Margaux

Introduced with the 2009 vintage, the Margaux du Château Margaux is the estate's third red wine. Sourced exclusively from the property's own vines, it benefits from the same care as its elder siblings, with ageing in barrels. More approachable, it captivates enthusiasts with its elegance and finesse, reflecting the Margaux style. Produced in limited quantities, it is distributed to a selection of restaurants and certain wine merchants.

Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux

The Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, produced from 11 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc, is one of the finest whites in Bordeaux. Rich, aromatic and energetic, it combines density and freshness thanks to a rigorous selection process (only one third of the harvest is retained). With a production of 1,600 cases per year, this wine, aged 7 to 8 months in barrels, captivates with its balance and ageing potential. Since 2022, a second white wine has been introduced, further enhancing the quality of this cuvée.

The Best Vintages of Château Margaux According to Robert Parker

The wines of Château Margaux, situated in the prestigious Margaux appellation in Bordeaux, are world-renowned for their elegance and exceptional quality. The celebrated critic Robert Parker has awarded remarkable scores to several vintages from this estate. Among them, the years 1900, 1990, 2018 and 2019 achieved the perfect score of 100/100, reflecting unrivalled harmony and depth. Other vintages, such as 2000, 2015 and 2016, came close to perfection with an impressive 99/100, while the years 1928, 1953, 1982, 1996, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2017 distinguished themselves with a score of 98/100, demonstrating the consistency and excellence of this Premier Grand Cru Classé.

The Great Vintages of Margaux

The great vintages of the Margaux appellation embody the essence of the Bordeaux terroir, combining finesse, complexity and ageing potential. Among the most prestigious years, 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999 are renowned for their aromatic richness and balance. More recent vintages, such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016, stand out for their robust structure and intensity. The years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 continue to shine, confirming the ability of Margaux wines to produce exceptional bottles that captivate enthusiasts and collectors the world over.

The Other Châteaux Premiers Grands Crus Classés

Immerse yourself in the refined world of the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, consecrated by the prestigious 1855 classification, and explore wines of unparalleled quality and elegance. In Pauillac, Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton Rothschild excel through their power and complexity, driven by Cabernet Sauvignon, with structured profiles ideally suited to long ageing. In the Margaux appellation, Château Margaux stands out for its finesse and delicate aromas, embodying the quintessence of Bordeaux sophistication. In Pessac-Léognan, Château Haut-Brion offers wines of unique intensity, defined by an exceptional gravelly terroir. Finally, in Sauternes, Château d'Yquem produces sweet wines of extraordinary richness and longevity, perfect for lovers of great dessert wines. Discover our selection of these exceptional crus!

How to Store Château Margaux?

Storing a Château Margaux requires optimal conditions. Ideally, bottles should be kept horizontally in a temperature-controlled wine cellar with adequate humidity. A stable temperature between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius is recommended. It is essential to protect the bottles from direct sunlight and vibrations. The wines of Château Margaux, particularly the older vintages, can benefit from bottle ageing, allowing the aromas and flavours to develop harmoniously.

Food and Wine Pairings with a Château Margaux

The wines of Château Margaux, owing to their finesse and elegance, pair perfectly with refined dishes. Classic pairings include grilled red meats, lamb chops, duck-based dishes, and even more delicate preparations such as beef fillet and fine cheese. The complex flavours of Château Margaux can also be enjoyed with international cuisine, offering great culinary versatility.

Château Margaux embodies the timeless excellence of Bordeaux wine. Its exceptional terroir, shaped by centuries of expertise, and its vinification methods combining tradition and modernity produce wines of rare elegance. Whether you are looking for a legendary Château Margaux 2015, a velvety Pavillon Rouge or a vibrant Pavillon Blanc, each cuvée tells a story of passion and perfection. On our Vins & Millésimes, discover an exclusive selection of Château Margaux wines at competitive prices, guaranteeing authenticity and quality. Immerse yourself in the world of this Premier Grand Cru Classé and let yourself be captivated by its heritage and unforgettable flavours.