New Vineyard from Margaux
After years of scouring the region for a suitable vineyard, there has been a lot of anticipation for the release of vines in our
new Gold Medal winning vineyard from Margaux in the Médoc. This is no
big surprise, as Château Mongravey is a remarkable vineyard
producing remarkable wines - so much so, that it won two Gold Medals at
this year’s International Wine Challenge. The good news is that our
Gold Medal winning Château Mongravey 2003 will be the first Option wine we’ll be offering to Partners in 2007.
The Médoc is one of the most important wine regions of the world, and Margaux is one of its best communes. However, there were many deterrents - price, and the suitability of Médocian winemakers to the 3D way of working being the major pitfalls. However a good vigneron's wine, we are adamant that they can only become part of our club if they fit our 'welcoming criteria' for visiting Partners.
Régis and Karin Bernaleau were heaven sent. Their wines are wonderful, the château is extremely stylish and they are both absolutely charming. We have now made our second exclusive 3D cuvée, of which our first will be available in 2007. I'm sure Château Mongravey will be of great interest to Partners - in fact the waiting list is building up already. Margaux produces some of the most elegant wines of the Médoc, and Mongravey is a good example - it is a classic claret with a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and lengthy ageing in oak. Régis and Karin were delighted when, in 2003, their château was promoted to the prestigious rank of Cru Bourgeois - this was particularly impressive as the classification was reduced that year from 450 châteaux to just 250.
Acquiring an exclusive wine from one of the rising stars in the most important region of Bordeaux really is a coup, and I'm sure that you will enjoy the benefits over the coming years.