Chateau Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre, Margaux, Bordeaux
Chateau Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre, Margaux, Bordeaux
A brief history of Chateau Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre, Margaux, Bordeaux
Château Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre, a hidden jewel in the Margaux appellation, is a testament to age-old Bordeaux winemaking traditions. The Château's origins trace back to the early 19th century, imbuing it with a sense of history. Unlike many of its contemporaries, the estate has eschewed modern trends, maintaining a commitment to the old-world methods that first established its reputation. The estate owns about thirteen hectares that include several parcels of very old vines with its chief vineyard situated next to that of the acclaimed Château Margaux. It cultivates a portion of its holdings for its own labels while leasing out the remainder to famous neighbouring wineries. The varietals it grows are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère. The house is not officially certified organic but it practises viticulture along such lines. Its traditional approaches in the vineyard and winery have lent the wines of Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre a unique character, rooted in the heritage and the terroir of Margaux.
Chateau Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre, Margaux, Bordeaux overview
The estate’s first wine, Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre, is a blend predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, crafted in a manner that harkens back to the traditional Bordeaux style. The wine is known for its finessed structure and depth, with elegant dark fruit that reflects the unyielding commitment to a more ancestral approach to winemaking. The use of oak is judicious. It stands out for its potential to age magnificently, developing rich and complex flavours over time.
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Understanding Chateau Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre, Margaux, Bordeaux
The vineyards of Château Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre benefit from the esteemed terroir of Margaux, characterised by gravelly soils that are ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Château's vineyard practices are notably traditional, shunning the use of modern chemical treatments in favour of a more natural approach. This commitment to natural viticulture is evident in the vibrant ecosystem of the vineyard, which contributes to the distinctive quality and character of the grapes. Fermentation is long and slow and occurs with natural yeast without any extraction methods, resulting in a lighter style of Bordeaux. The wine ages for about six months in old barrels which is followed by two to three years in cement before bottling. This method of ageing imparts minimal oak influence, allowing the true expression of the vineyard and vintage to shine through.