'Bordeaux Month' Grand Finale Tasting :: Chic & Noble Wines from Bernard Magrez

Winemaker Bernard Magrez is well-known for his dedication to quality and authenticity in the Bordeaux region of France.  He owns the illustrious Château Pape Clement in Graves, as well as Château Les Grands Chênes in the Médoc and Château Fombrauge in Saint Emilion. This wine is from his exciting project in Provence, just south of his homebase in Bordeaux.  Traditionally made of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, the 'Douce Vie' (which translates to the 'Sweet Life') has a delicate, succulent nose of fresh red fruits, flowers and salty stones. Generous yet fresh, La Douce Vie is made from grapes grown in the Var county over the plains of Maures, at the heart of the Notre-Dame-des-Anges territory. The unique terroir in this area is composed of clay, limestone, sandstone, fine sand, alluvial traditional terrace and schists from the Maures. Magrez also uses sustainable methods in the vineyard.

A wonderful Côtes de Bordeaux made by the quality-driven Magrez family, especially well-known for their flagship estate : Pape Clement in Graves. Plaisance is located on a south-facing hillside which gives the vineyard plenty of sunshine for ripening its grapes in its clay, limestone and gravel soils. Planted to 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc with vines averaging 25 years, Château Plaisance is an 18th century old country manor located on a beautiful 40 hectare- estate that formerly belonged to the famous Bordeaux restaurateur Dubern. Since 2005, the estate has been run by Philippe Magrez, a 4th generation winegrower (and son of Bernard Magrez) who combines the best modern winemaking techniques with the finest Bordeaux traditions. In the vineyard, he uses natural grass covering, trellising height of 2.20m, and green harvesting. Grapes are picked then sorted on a vibrating table for further quality control.  Typically aged 9 months in barrels.

Château Les Grands Chênes, located in the Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, has been producing wine since 1880, and was originally used as a fort during the 16th century.  The estate was purchased in 1981 by Jacqueline Gauzy Darricade who spent both time and money on improving the property before it was sold to Bernard Magrez in 1998. Magrez is known for a dedication to quality and authenticity, he also owns the historic and illustrious Château Pape Clement in Graves. The 38 hectare Les Grands Chênes Left Bank vineyard is planted to 70% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. Situated in the northern part of the Bordeaux appellation, the vineyard has a terroir of gravel, limestone deposits and a bit of clay in the soil.  This is one of the better terroirs in located this far north in the Haut Medoc, as they have elevations and a view of the Gironde, which creates a micro-climate. On average, the vines are 30 years of age.

Château Fombrauge is one of the oldest wine estates in Saint Emilion, dating back to 1679, and vines were cultivated on the site as early as 1599.  The charming, regal château is one of the most beautiful on the Right Bank. Chateau Fombrauge takes its name from one of the earliest owners, Dumas de Fombrauge, who was also a member of the French government in the 1700’s.  The modern age for Château Fombrauge starts in 1999, the year that Bernard Magrez purchased Fombrauge from the Hans Just company. One of the first moves made by Bernard Magrez was to hire Michel Rolland as their consultant. Bernard Magrez also owns the illustrious Château Pape Clement in Graves.  The 60 hectare Right Bank vineyard of Fombrauge is planted to 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. The vines average 30 years of age. The terroir is clay, limestone and sandstone soils. The vineyards are located in 3 sections, with parcels close to the chateau on the slopes and flats, and they have also have vines that placed not too far from Chateau Pavie, on the limestone slopes with southern exposures.