Chateau Desmirail 2021 Margaux Thirld Growths Grand Cru Classes 《Terroir Collection - ZTF634D》

Desmirail's remarkable winery buildings date from the end of the nineteenth century, and reflect various architectural styles. There are three vat rooms, corresponding to different periods in the property's history.

- At the end of the nineteenth century, an invention arrived that revolutionized vat rooms: the Médoc Vat Room, which operates by gravity. A remarkable example was built at Desmirail; typical of the period, it consists of an exceptional roof structure in the shape of the inverted hull of a ship, and then underneath there are cast iron pillars (emblematic of the industrial era). This room has held four oak casks since 1999.

- In 1997, Denis Lurton invested in a modern stainless steel vat room, with vats of various capacities to enable vinification on a plot-by-plot basis.- During the 2010 harvest, a smaller vat room was inaugurated, consisting of oak vats, reserved mainly for the vinification of the older plots.The property is also equipped with three cellar rooms, displaying a combination of traditional architecture and modern features, they are used to store barrels of the First and Second wine.In the modernisation of these facilities, Denis Lurton and Technical Director Pierre Lafeuillade have been able to optimize and customize the existing buildings while at the same time preserving their original character.

In Margaux, wines are made from a blend of the juices of several grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère). At Desmirail, we vinify the first four. The red colour and tannin structure are extracted during the fermentation and maceration phases, which last for a total of almost three weeks. The decision to separate the juice from the marc (skins and seeds) is taken after several tastings. The marc is pressed and provides a complementary, more structured juice that is incorporated when the juices of the different grape varieties are being blended.

At Desmirail we choose to make a wine that takes advantage of the diversity of the Bordeaux grape varieties with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and recently Cabernet Franc, and that relies on the complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon and the roundness of Merlot. A wine that can be enjoyed both young, when the fruit is predominant, and after a few years of ageing, when it has gained complexity.

【Wine Enthusiast 93 pts】

This wine is textured with its typical firm tannins. The fruit developing a spicy character. Berry flavors have a fresh edge giving final acidity. 

【Vinous 92 pts】

The 2021 Desmirail has a potentially endearing bouquet of black cherries, iris flower and peony; it just exudes "Margaux-ness.” The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite solid tannins, compact black fruit and a saline/oyster edge on the finish. Quite focused and delivering good length, this should age well in bottle.