Château Marjosse : Château Marjosse 2020

A fresh and aromatic Bordeaux white wine by Pierre Lurton

The estate

Built in 1782, Château Marjosse is an estate located in the Entre-deux-Mers appellation on the right bank of the Bordeaux wine region. Initially owned by wine merchant Bernard Chénier, Château Marjosse was acquired by the Deleuze family, who rented some plots out to Pierre Lurton in 1990.

In 1992, Pierre Lurton, who grew up in Château Reynier, the neighbour of this magnificent Charterhouse, moved into a second home in Château Marjosse and, over the years, successively purchased several of the estate’s plots from the Deleuze family.

In 2000, Pierre Lurton had an ultramodern cellar containing more than 40 cement vats constructed and, in 2013, became the owner of the entire vineyard as well as the Charterhouse.

The vineyard

The Château Marjosse vineyard covers 40 hectares and is located on exceptional clay-limestone soils. Made up of young and old vines, some of which are centuries old, the vineyard features different grape varieties, notably Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for the red Château Marjosse.

The vineyard dedicated to the production of the white Marjosse is 12 hectares and is made up of 25- to 75-year-old vines.

Winemaking and ageing

In 2017, Pierre Lurton appointed Jean-Marc Domme as technical director. For the first time in the estate’s history, Pierre Lurton introduced plot-based vinification and the creation of micro-cuvées in limited quantities to express the characteristics and microclimate of each of the most remarkable plots.

Harvested early in the morning to limit oxidation and preserve aromatic richness, the grapes are sorted and gently pressed in pneumatic presses. Protected from oxidation thanks to the dry ice inerting, the juices are kept cold on lees for a few days to boost aromatic expression.

In this quest for aromatic purity, the wines are fermented at low temperatures for 1 to 2 weeks after settling.

The wines are aged on fine lees in concrete vats for 2 to 3 months. Depending on the batch, regular stirring is carried out twice a week on average.

Blend

This white Château Marjosse 2020 is made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (35%), Sauvignon Gris (15%), Sémillon (45%) and Muscadelle (5%).

Tasting

Colour

The wine is bright and clear, with subtle green highlights.

Nose

The delicate nose seduces with its notes of white fruits (pear, white peach, lychee) which come from the Sémillon.

Palate

The palate is wonderfully fresh, mixing tightness with an aromatic richness which is conveyed by a delicious density on the mid-palate. The persistent finish unveils an indulgent salinity.