Château Marquis d'Alesme

History of Château Marquis d'Alesme

Château Marquis d'Alesme dates back to 1585, when François d'Alesme, a counsellor at the Bordeaux parliament, founded the estate. It was only at the beginning of the 17th century that vines were planted there for the first time, thus marking the beginning of the winemaking history of this cru. The estate quickly gained a certain reputation in the Margaux region, particularly thanks to its wines, which stand out for their finesse and elegance.

In 1809, the estate was sold to Jean Bekker-Terrlink, a Dutch wine merchant, who decided to add his name to that of the estate. It is thus that Château Marquis d'Alesme Becker came into being. This name would be used until 2009, before being simplified to Château Marquis d'Alesme for better international recognition.

Classified as a third grand cru in 1855, during the famous classification of the wines of the Médoc, the estate has seen several changes of ownership over the centuries. Among them, the Zuger family, renowned for also owning Château Malescot St. Exupéry. Finally, in 2006, the estate was acquired by the Perrodo family, who restored it and returned this classified cru to its former glory. Today, under the direction of Nathalie Perrodo-Samani and Marjolaine Maurice-de Coninck, Château Marquis d'Alesme is embarking on a path of renewal, combining respect for tradition and modernity.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Marquis d'Alesme

The vineyard of Château Marquis d'Alesme extends over 15 hectares on the left bank, divided into three distinct blocks, all situated at the heart of the Margaux appellation. These plots benefit from an exceptional terroir, composed of 40% silico-gravelly soils, 40% silico-marly soils and 20% clay-limestone. This unique blend allows the vines to take root deeply, thereby encouraging optimal ripening of the grapes.

The estate's grape varieties are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which accounts for 63% of the plantings. This noble variety gives the wine its structure and tannins, guaranteeing powerful wines with excellent ageing potential. Merlot, which accounts for 30%, complements this framework by offering roundness and suppleness to the wines. Petit Verdot (5%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) contribute complex aromatic notes and a beautiful freshness.

The estate practices sustainable viticulture, inspired by the principles of organic farming and biodynamics. Beneficial wildlife, such as wild bees and bats, plays a key role in preserving the balance of the ecosystem. Furthermore, the lunar calendar is scrupulously observed for the organisation of work in the vineyards, so as to respect the natural rhythm of the plant and the soil.

Winemaking at Château Marquis d'Alesme

The winemaking process at Château Marquis d'Alesme is a true art, where every detail matters. After meticulous manual harvesting, the grapes are carefully sorted to retain only the finest fruit. This painstaking work is carried out in several stages, in order to achieve an irreproachable quality.

The winemaking then takes place in a modern vat house, composed of truncated cone-shaped wooden and stainless steel vats, allowing for parcel-by-parcel fermentation. Each batch is closely monitored in order to preserve the singularity of the terroir and of each grape variety. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels, a method that adds greater finesse and complexity to the wines.

The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, 65% of which are new, for an average period of 18 months. During the first three months, the wine rests on its fine lees, which imparts subtle aromas and a silky texture on the palate. This long and meticulous ageing process guarantees elegant, structured wines with exceptional cellaring potential.

The Cuvées of Château Marquis d'Alesme

Château Marquis d'Alesme offers several cuvées that reflect the diversity of its terroir and the excellence of its expertise.

Château Marquis d'Alesme  

The estate's flagship wine, a Margaux Grand Cru Classé in 1855, is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives it a powerful tannic structure. This wine is distinguished by complex aromas of dark fruits such as cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant, accompanied by floral notes and a beautiful minerality. On the palate, it reveals itself as ample and elegant, with a remarkable length. This wine is ideal for extended cellaring and will be fully appreciated after several years of ageing.

Marquise d'Alesme  

The estate's second wine, Marquise d'Alesme, was created in 1988 to allow enthusiasts to discover the style of the estate at a more affordable price. Composed primarily of young vines, it offers a more supple and fruity profile, with notes of vanilla and a beautiful freshness on the palate. This wine, ready to drink earlier than the fine wine, is perfect for immediate consumption, while retaining an elegance typical of Margaux wines.

Saam Long  

Since 2022, the estate has launched a new cuvée, Saam Long, a white wine crafted from an atypical blend of Chardonnay, Petit Manseng and Albarino. Planted on 1.5 hectares of cooler soils, these grape varieties bring freshness and complexity to this white wine, which stands out for its aromas of citrus fruits, exotic fruits and its minerality. This white wine, produced in limited quantities, is a true gem that deserves to be discovered by lovers of rare and singular wines.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of the most prestigious wines of Bordeaux, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years, one finds 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. Recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, a symbol of Bordeaux excellence.

We invite you to discover the various Châteaux Troisièmes Grands Crus Classés, true treasures of the Bordeaux region. Set out to explore the great terroirs of Margaux with the prestigious Château Boyd-Cantenac, Château Cantenac Brown, Château Desmirail, Château Ferrière, Château Giscours, Château d'Issan, Château Kirwan, Château Malescot Saint Exupéry, Château Marquis d'Alesme and Château Palmer. Continue your journey with the wines of Château Calon-Ségur in Saint-Estèphe, Château Lagrange and Château Langoa Barton in Saint-Julien, without forgetting the finesse of Château La Lagune in the Haut-Médoc. Each estate promises you an unforgettable experience, reflecting the art of the wines of the Médoc.

Château Marquis d'Alesme perfectly embodies the excellence of the Margaux appellation. Through environmentally respectful viticulture, careful winemaking and masterful ageing, the wines of this estate reflect an exceptional terroir and centuries-old expertise. Whether it is the fine wine or its secondary cuvées, every bottle of Château Marquis d'Alesme offers a unique tasting experience, combining power, elegance and finesse. For lovers of grands crus classés, this estate is a true benchmark not to be missed, where tradition and modernity come together to create wines of exception.