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Bordeaux Producers
Name: Bordeaux
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The history of chateau Margaux is as fascinating as any in the Medoc, but the second half of the 20th century is the key. For over two decades the Ginestet wine merchant family had the place, but presided over a severe decline - eventually they fell and were forced to sell. The run of dreadful 1970s vintages finally did for them. Andre Mentzelopoulos bought it in 1977, after it had been on the market for two years.
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On the face of it Ch Meyney has an excellent position on the same gravel ridge as neighbour Montrose on the bank of the Gironde estuary, yet it has never achieved quite the same heights - or prices! It has a longer history than Montrose or many neighbours, being mentioned in the early 16th century nad being taken over by a reforming branch of the Cistercin order. The original buildings burned and the current ones date from 1662.
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The 2007 heralds something of a new era at second growth Montrose. The first full year for the new team headed by Jean-Bernard Delmas - the man responsible for so many of the great Haut-Brions since the `61 - saw much more attention paid to fruit maturity, and the harvest took a full three weeks. The new owners are determined to unlock the huge potential of this great terroir and make this number consistently amongst Bordeaux`s best. Well, never a good idea to start with an easy vintage; the 2007 is a fine effort, and one of the few wines good for three decades.
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It is still fairly unusual for the owners of Bordeaux Chateaux to have properties from both sides of the admittedly broad river in their portfolio. One sticks to what one knows. Ch Nenin however is owned by a branch of the same Delons who also own Leoville-Las Cases. Perhaps what attracted them was the size of the estate, which is of generous Medoc proportions rather than the smaller norm in Pomerol. Although we think of Pomerol as being a Merlot AOC, there is enough gravel here to warrant 40% of Cabernet Franc - a similar situation to that at Cheval Blanc.
