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Chateau Margaux Wines : Key Points

Location and surface area of the Château Margaux vineyard

Beaming beyond French borders, Château Margaux is an illustrious reference and is poised among the finest estates in Margaux, the emblematic appellation of the left bank of Bordeaux. This iconic property has a rich history and continues to produce some of the world's most sought-after wines. But what makes Château Margaux so special?

What is the history of Château Margaux?

A history that harks back to the 12th century

As early as the 12th century, the property was known as "La Mothe de Margaux", as the Médoc was a flat region. This period marked the increase in trade between France and England, whose King, Richard the Lionheart, enjoyed drinking Bordeaux wines at his social gatherings and banquets.

A first expansion from the 16th century

Between 1572 and 1582, Pierre de Lestonnac became the owner of Château Margaux and carried out major restructuring work. It was during this era that the estate began to establish its modern identity, replacing cereal crops with vineyards and setting the stage for its prestigious future. By the late 17th century, Château Margaux had expanded to its current size of 265 hectares, with trade flourishing beyond French borders, including England and the Netherlands.

For those curious about the ownership and transformation of the estate over time, we explore the current leadership in more depth in our article Who Owns Château Margaux?.

Major technical innovations from the 18th century onwards

Under the management of Berlon in the early 18th century, Château Margaux adopted key technical innovations, such as harvesting later in the day to avoid dew dilution, and separating red and white grape vinification. These forward-thinking practices ensured that Château Margaux remained at the forefront of wine production.

A pivotal period in the 18th century

As Château Margaux’s reputation grew, it found fans across the Atlantic, including Thomas Jefferson, who famously praised the estate's wines and described the 1784 vintage of Château Margaux using the following terms: "there can be no better bottle of Bordeaux".

This golden age of recognition set the estate on a path to global renown, and by 1855, Château Margaux had achieved the prestigious classification of "Premier Grand Cru Classé." It was the only wine among the First Growths to receive a flawless score of twenty out of twenty.

For those interested in learning which specific vintages are the most celebrated, check out our Vintage Guide to Château Margaux: Which Years to Invest In.

The renaissance from the 19th century onwards

A pivotal moment for Château Margaux came in 1801, when the estate was purchased by Bertrand Douat, Marquis de la Colonilla. The construction of the château and modern farm buildings followed, elevating the estate’s grandeur. However, in 1977, it was André Mentzelopoulos who modernised the château and vineyard, restoring it to its former brilliance.

Today, under the leadership of his daughter Corinne Mentzelopoulos, Château Margaux continues to be a symbol of excellence.

All there is to know about Château Margaux

Location and exposure

Château Margaux reigns over a 262-hectare terroir, of which 82 hectares are vineyards. This unique landscape produces world-class wines, with 70 hectares dedicated to red wine and 12 to the estate’s white wine. The Margaux appellation itself benefits from a temperate oceanic climate, characterized by mild winters and cool summers.

If you're wondering exactly Where is Château Margaux located and how this terroir contributes to its exceptional quality, we’ve covered that in more detail on our blog here.

Geology: a rare tapestry

"From an exceptional terroir comes a great wine". This adage, dear to the successive owners of Château Margaux, is the perfect expression of the geological singularity of the estate, whose rare and unique terroir is located on a gravel outcropping.

Climate: an exceptional vineyard with a mild oceanic climate

The Margaux appellation benefits from a temperate oceanic climate, characterised by mild, wet winters and relatively cool summers.

Growing practices

Château Margaux is a benchmark for producing frin wines from a vineyard that is managed with the utmost rigour. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc for the red wines, and Sauvignon Blanc for the Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux.

Vinification and aging

The meticulous vinification process at Château Margaux is one of the reasons for the estate's unmatched quality. Red wines such as Château Margaux and Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux are fermented in oak vats and aged for 18 to 24 months in new barrels. Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux undergoes a shorter fermentation process in oak barrels, followed by 6 to 8 months of aging.

To maximize the potential of these wines, proper storage and aging are critical. For tips on how to best preserve Château Margaux in your collection, visit our article on Tips for Storing and Aging Château Margaux.

The style of Château Margaux wines

Since the 17th century, Château Margaux has been renowned for its finesse, complexity, and aromatic intensity. Its first wine, the Grand Vin du Château Margaux, epitomizes elegance and freshness.

The second wine of the estate, Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux has probably been produced since the beginning of the 17th century. Initially called "Château Margaux 2nd wine", the current name was given to it in 1908. Its production was stopped between the 1930s and 1970s, but was relaunched in 1977 under the leadership of André Mentzelopoulos. Representing today 30% of the harvest, this Second Wine offers an alluring balance and a subtle alchemy between sweetness and power.

For those keen to know which vintage might be the best to enjoy or invest in, our guide on What is the Best Year for Château Margaux? provides an insightful breakdown.

Produced since the end of the 17th century, the Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux is the fruit of the visionary spirit of the Cellar Master at the time, Berlon, who was one of the first to separate the red and white grapes during the vinification process. Called "Château Margaux vin de sauvignon" in the 19th century, it has carried its current name and the same label since 1920. Produced from one of the oldest plots on the estate and made in limited quantities, due to a rigorous selection of the highest quality grapes, this single-variety white wine is vinified with great precision and excellence in ultra-modern facilities. The wine is persistent and reveals all its finesse, aromatic richness and subtle minerality throughout the tasting.

Aging potential of the wines

Château Margaux wines have the capacity to age for several decades, enhancing their structure and complexity over time. This makes them highly collectible for wine enthusiasts.

To learn more about the essence of this iconic estate, be sure to read our introductory article What is Château Margaux?.

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