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Chateau Margaux

A long history:Château Margaux’s birth

Chateau Margaux has the unique privilege in Bordeaux of bearing the name of its appellation d’origine. The original chateau was the residence of Edward III, king of England. However the true founder of the chateaux estate is probably Pierre de Lestonnac who in 1570’s began assembling small parcels of land around ‘Lamothe Margaux’ as it was known then. However the origin of the chateau as we know it today can be attributed to the Marquis of La Colonilla who razed the original building in 1802 and built the Chateau Margaux as we know it today.

Exceptional Estate and Quality

  • The Château was built in 1810 and since then has been regarded as « the Versailles of the Medoc ». It is one of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in the region of Bordeaux
  • Established on the request of Napoleon III for the Paris World’s fair, 1855 classification ranked only four wines "First Great Classified Growth", and Margaux was the only one to be marked 20 out of 20!
  • Château Margaux became a high place in the art of making wine, and the hierarchy between the different Bordeaux growths began to appear. Château Margaux’ myth was born

A long history: The emergence of the myth

In 1977 it was purchased by the Mentzelopoulos family. They have continued making wine in a traditional style. Here the vines are still tied with the slender wicker lash of Bordeaux. The barrels are handcrafted by the estate’s cooper, and these are just a few of the many traditions upheld by the family. No expense has been spared in making these monumental wines.

In 1980, Corinne Mentzelopoulos was immediately ready for the challenge after the death of her father. In 1983, Paul Pontallier joined the company and a few years later became its general manager for 34 years. 

An exceptional and worldwide recognition

This was one of the favorite wines of Hemingway, the famous author, was so enamored with the wines of Margaux that he named his grand daughter after the wine. Engel who was a very good friend of Marx, was playing a game with Marx daughter in 1868. The game was called confessions, and consisted of some body asking questions, to which the person being addressed was meant to reply honestly. Engel on being asked by Marx’s daughter “What is happiness ? ” replied, “1848 Ch Margaux”.
The most money spent on a half bottle of wine was FF180,000 on the 26th June 87 for a 1784 Chateau Margaux initialized by Thomas Jefferson, (in April 1989 it was accidentally knocked over and broken, when it was on display at a restaurant in New York). 

Other distinguished faces also loved one of the very best wines in the history.

  • Napoleon and his wife were big collectors of Château Margaux
  • President Thomas Jefferson (USA) said « there cannot be any better wine in Bordeaux than Château Margaux »
  • Nixon usually served Château Margaux at the White House
  • Visit of the chairman Hu Jintao in 2001: Château Margaux is the only winery he decided to visit during his trip in France

Second label: Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (also Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux).

Area under vines: 78ha.(R)
Av. prod.: 29,000 cases (white incl.).
Distr. of vines.: In several parcels, but mainly grouped around the Chateau.
Soil: 80% gravel, 20% clay/chalk.
Added yeasts: No.
Length of maceration: 21 days.
Temp. of ferm.: 28-30C.
Control of fermentation: By circulation of cold water.
Type of vat: oak.
Age of casks: 100% new each vintage.
Time in cask: 18-24 months.
Fining: Fresh egg whites.
Filtration: None.
Type of bottle: Bordelaise.
Bottled at the chateau: 100%.
Grape varieties: (R) 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cab. Franc& Petit Verdot / (W)100% Sauvignon 
Vines per ha.: Cab Sauv 10,000. Merlot 6,500.
Average age: 35 years.
Av. yield per ha.: 40hl.
Harvesting: Hand picked
STORAGE: 9-30 Years.
SERVICE TEMPERATURE: 17 C
FOOD / CONSUMPTION: They are a perfect complement to lamb, veal, poultry and delicate game.