Château Les Grands Marechaux 2016

Château Les Grands Maréchaux

Blaye - Côtes de Bordeaux

2018

75cl

100% Merlot

Soil: Clay and limestone
Average age of vines: 25 years

Château Les Grands Maréchaux is one of the most esteemed names in the Blaye – Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, an area on the right bank of the Gironde River known for its elegant, silky wines, strongly rooted in Merlot. The estate stands out for its modern and rigorous approach, with meticulous attention to vineyard work, grape selection, and low-yield vinification, elements that allow for the production of wines of astonishing quality and an instantly recognizable style.

The soil, composed primarily of clay and limestone , offers ideal conditions for the maturation of Merlot, which here expresses roundness, aromatic depth, and soft tannins. The vinification is carried out with precise and delicate techniques, aimed at preserving the fruit and the natural freshness of the terroir. The aging, carried out partly in French oak barriques, helps enrich the aromatic profile without overpowering it, maintaining balance and elegance.

In the glass, Château Les Grands Maréchaux displays a deep ruby ​​color , offering aromas of ripe red fruits, plum, blackberry, and light spicy and toasted notes. On the palate, it is soft, juicy, and enveloping, with velvety tannins and a pleasant freshness that brings harmony to the palate. An accessible yet refined wine, ideal for those seeking a Bordeaux that's easy to drink and those seeking a bottle that can evolve over several years.

In 1997, Christophe Reboul Salze, in association with a Bordeaux broker, acquired Château Les Grands Maréchaux in Saint Girons d'Aiguevives.

On the technical side, he enlisted the help of Stéphane Derenoncourt, then cellar master at Pavie Macquin. Since purchasing Château Les Grands Maréchaux, the current owners have been blessed with a series of spectacular vintages, including the one that created this Bordeaux red. He gifted winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt with perfectly ripe fruit on which to work his magic. Stéphane is a legend in Bordeaux, having worked at many important estates in Saint-Émilion, including La Mondotte, Canon La Gaffelière, and Pavie Macquin.

This is an exceptional vintage of Les Grands Maréchaux. This wine is characterized by aromas of ripe fruit and blackcurrant liqueur, with floral notes (peony and old rose). Smooth, balanced, and fleshy, it offers even more after seven years of aging, enriched with delicious truffle aromas. An excellent wine at an affordable price. A refined petit château from a celebrated vintage, Les Grands Maréchaux is delicious now and will develop with time. Enjoy this wine with a Sunday roast, venison stew, or poultry such as pheasant or partridge.

Reviews

James Suckling 92/100
"There's a lot to like about the depth in this wine, from the aromas of violets and purple berries to the sleek, succulent and energetic feel of the palate. This has focus and persistence." -James Suckling

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 90/100
"Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Les Grands Marechaux bursts out of the glass with notions of blueberry compote, blackberry preserves and crushed black plums plus suggestions of violets, tobacco and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has an impressive texture of very fine-grained tannins and bold freshness nicely framing the intense black fruit flavors, finishing on a perfumed note."