The elegance and structure of a Grand Cru Classe from Margaux
The estate
A Margaux 3rd Grand Cru Classe in 1855, Chateau Desmirail illustrates, through its wines, all of the typicality of this exceptional terroir. Owned by the Lurton family since 1992, Chateau Desmirail has equipped itself with infrastructures which match its terroir, allowing this Cru Classe to be taken to the highest level.
The vineyard
The Chateau Desmirail vineyard covers some forty hectares cultivated with the greatest respect for the environment with the implementation of sustainable viticultures. The soils are made up of gravel which date back to the Quatenary.
The vintage
This vintage was marked by a particularly dry summer which caused significant water stress. The rainy spell on 13 September were salvaging, allowing ripening to restart. The grapes harvested were of a high quality. Combining quality and quantity, 2016 echoes the 2009, 2010 and 2015 vintages.
Winemaking and aging
Aging is exclusively carried out in barrels (of which 38% are new).
Blend
The 2016 Chateau Desmirail is made from a blend of Merlot (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) and Petit Verdot (5%).
The 2016 Desmirail is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. It does not possess the most complex Margaux nose, although the purity deserves a commendation with blueberry and cassis fruit. The palate has quite a rich and showy opening though fortunately it does not go over the top. There is a slight metallic edge towards the finish, which I hope will disappear by the time of bottling. It just feels a little pinched at the moment, so there is room for improvement here.