Château Marquis d'Alesme

History of Château Marquis d'Alesme

Château Marquis d'Alesme dates back to 1585, when François d'Alesme, a counsellor to the Bordeaux parliament, founded the estate. It was not until the early 17th century that vines were planted there for the first time, marking the beginning of the winemaking history of this growth. The estate quickly acquired a certain reputation in the Margaux region, notably 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 was in this way that Château Marquis d'Alesme Becker came into being. This name was 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 Médoc wines, the estate underwent several changes of ownership over the centuries. Among them, the Zuger family, well known 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 growth to all its former splendour. 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 with modernity.

Terroirs and Vines 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 located at the heart of the Margaux appellation. These plots benefit from an exceptional terroir, composed of 40% siliceous-gravelly soils, 40% siliceous-marly soils and 20% clay-limestone. This unique blend allows the vines to take deep root, thus promoting the 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 brings structure and tannins to the wine, ensuring powerful wines well suited to ageing. Merlot, representing 30%, complements this framework by providing roundness and suppleness to the wines. Petit Verdot (5%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) in turn contribute complex aromatic notes and a beautiful freshness.

The estate practises sustainable viticulture, inspired by the principles of organic farming and biodynamics. Beneficial fauna, such as wild bees and bats, play a key role in preserving the balance of the ecosystem. Moreover, the lunar calendar is scrupulously followed to organise work in the vineyards, in order 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 room, comprising truncated conical vats in wood and stainless steel, allowing for plot-by-plot fermentation. Each lot 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 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 lengthy and meticulous ageing process guarantees elegant, structured wines with exceptional ageing 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 cuvée, a Margaux Grand Cru Classé en 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 to be ample and elegant, with a remarkable length. This wine is ideal for extended cellaring and will be best appreciated after several years of ageing.

Marquise d'Alesme  

The estate's second wine, Marquise d'Alesme, was created in 1988 to allow wine enthusiasts to discover the estate's style at a more affordable price. Composed primarily of young vines, it offers a softer, fruitier 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 enjoyment, while retaining an elegance typical of Margaux.

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 is distinguished by its aromas of citrus, 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. More 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 the consistency of Margaux in producing exceptional wines, a symbol of Bordeaux excellence.

We invite you to discover the various Third 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, not forgetting the elegance of Château La Lagune in the Haut-Médoc. Each estate promises an unforgettable experience, reflecting the art of the wines of the Médoc.

Château Marquis d'Alesme perfectly embodies the excellence of the Margaux appellation. Thanks to environmentally respectful viticulture, careful winemaking and masterful ageing, the wines of this estate are the reflection of 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 reference not to be missed, where tradition and modernity come together to create exceptional wines.