Magdelaine

History of Château Magdelaine

The history of Château Magdelaine begins in the 18th century, when the property was managed by the Chatonnet family. This estate, located near Saint-Émilion, enjoys an exceptional terroir that has allowed it to establish itself among the most respected estates of the appellation. However, over time, Château Magdelaine experienced ups and downs, with periods of glory followed by difficulties, particularly at the beginning of the 20th century.

In the 1950s, after decades of neglect that had left the vineyards in poor condition, the property was put up for sale. It was in 1952 that Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix acquired it. This Bordeaux wine merchant, renowned for its care of several prestigious estates, quickly undertook to restore Château Magdelaine. The vineyards were replanted, the facilities modernised, and efforts were made to restore this cru to its rightful place among the greatest wines of Saint-Émilion.

Under the management of the Moueix family, Château Magdelaine regained its lustre and was classified as Premier Grand Cru as early as 1958, a title it would retain for several decades. Until its merger in 2011 with Château Bélair-Monange, the estate continued to produce wines of great finesse, often praised for their elegance, freshness and aromatic complexity.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Magdelaine

The terroir of Château Magdelaine is one of the great riches of this estate. Spanning 11.3 hectares, the vineyard is strategically located on the limestone plateau of Saint-Martin and on the southern slopes, thus benefiting from an ideal exposure for vine cultivation. The soil, mainly composed of clay-limestone, is renowned for its ability to regulate water, allowing the vines to root deeply and draw essential minerals, thus giving the wines remarkable freshness and minerality.

The vineyard is planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This dominance of Merlot gives Château Magdelaine wines a silky texture and fine tannins, while the Cabernet Franc brings spicy notes and additional structure. The vines are on average 30 to 35 years old, some even reaching 100 years, which contributes to the complexity and depth of the wines. The planting density is 6,000 to 7,000 vines per hectare, favouring a natural concentration of aromas in the grapes.

The viticultural methods employed at Château Magdelaine are resolutely traditional, but with modern attention to detail. The care given to the vines, precise pruning and manual harvesting are all elements that ensure the quality of the grapes, an essential basis for the production of great wines. The estate has always focused on environmentally friendly viticulture, which guarantees not only the health of the vines, but also the preservation of the terroir for future generations.

Vinification at Château Magdelaine

Vinification at Château Magdelaine is a meticulous process that respects traditions while integrating modern technologies to perfect the winemaking. Since 2004, fermentations have been carried out in stainless steel vats, offering better temperature control and allowing for gentle extraction of aromas and tannins. This approach allows for the production of precise and balanced wines, where each grape variety can best express its potential.

The vinification process begins with a rigorous selection of grapes, which are hand-sorted on laser sorting tables, a technological addition implemented in 2009 to guarantee optimal quality of the berries used. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats, and the decision to incorporate the press wine or not is carefully evaluated during ageing to ensure perfect harmony of the wines.

Château Magdelaine is then aged in French oak barrels, of which about 40% are new each year, for an average duration of 18 months. This barrel ageing gives the wines a beautiful structure while preserving their freshness and aromatic purity. The choice to use a moderate proportion of new wood allows the delicate aromas of Merlot and Cabernet Franc not to be dominated, favouring instead a subtle integration of woody notes.

The cuvées of Château Magdelaine

Château Magdelaine produced about 2,500 cases of its main wine each year, which is now sought after by collectors and lovers of classic Bordeaux wines. This wine is renowned for its traditional Saint-Émilion style, distinguished by its lightness, refinement and freshness. Unlike other wines from the region, often more powerful and fleshy, Château Magdelaine offers a more subtle experience, favouring elegance over opulence.

The 2010 vintage is particularly remarkable, often described as a "soft and creamy lace". It is a brilliant wine, offering delicate aromas of red fruits, spices and subtle minerality, all supported by a fine structure and silky tannins. It is a truly beautiful farewell for this estate, before its merger with Château Bélair-Monange.

The estate also produced a second wine, Les Songes de Magdelaine, which benefits from the same attentive care as the first wine. This cuvée, more accessible, allowed the discovery of the elegant style of Château Magdelaine through a slightly younger wine, but still of great finesse.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced vintages of exceptional quality over the years, delighting connoisseurs of fine wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The famous 1982 remains an undisputable reference. The following decades were equally impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have shone through their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate fine wine enthusiasts with its consistent quality and elegance.

The classification of Saint-Émilion's Premiers Grands Crus Classés B, reviewed every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the Right Bank vineyard. Among those that continue to feature in this prestigious category are emblematic names such as Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong-Mondot, Château Trottevieille, and Clos Fourtet. Others, promoted in 2012, such as Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Château Larcis-Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, and Château Valandraud, also illustrate the ever-increasing quality of the region's growths. However, some châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal ensures the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.

Château Magdelaine will forever remain in the history of the great wines of Saint-Émilion. Although the estate has been merged with Château Bélair-Monange, its legacy endures through the wines produced over decades, marked by timeless elegance and subtle complexity. The exceptional terroir and careful vinification methods have allowed Château Magdelaine to distinguish itself, not by power, but by the delicacy and harmony of its wines.