Château Margaux 1er Cru Classé 1952

Details

The history of Château Margaux dates back to 1815, when the Marquis de la Colonilla had this magnificent castle built with Greek columns and peristyle. In 1977, André Mentzelopoulos, then owner of the Félix Potin stores, purchased the estate. Its action is spectacular whether in the vineyard, in the cellars or at the castle. In particular, he implemented drainage, replanting, and introduced aging in new barrels. He built the first large underground winery in the region, a technical feat. Under the supervision of renowned oenologist Émile Peynaud, he reintroduced the Pavillon Rouge of Château Margaux by considerably increasing the selection, and redefining the Pavillon Blanc.

When he died, his daughter, Corinne Mentzelopoulos, scrupulously continued his work, assisted by Paul Pontalier and recently by Philippe Bascaules. The working philosophy is based on scientific methods that must refine and validate the most traditional practices. Thus, they analyze each process, measure each gesture. Biodynamic agriculture, for example, is being tested for a minimum of 10 years, in order to certify its possible contribution to quality. Everything is carefully studied before affixing the name Château Margaux.

Located on a hillock, the vineyard extends over around a hundred hectares on the edge of the village of Margaux in the Margaux appellation. It rests on very dense Günzian gravel soil and limestone subsoils in the lower part. The grape varieties consist of Merlot (20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon for the whites. The soils are worked in the old-fashioned way: plowing, hilling and digging, spreading of manure. Organic treatments have completely replaced chemical treatments since 1980 and the animal kingdom is scrupulously observed so that the plant finds its own balance and defenses.