Marquis de terme

History of Château Marquis de Terme

The history of Château Marquis de Terme dates back to the 15th century, but it was in 1762 that this prestigious name officially came into being. The estate was offered as a dowry to François de Peguilhan, Marquis de Terme, by Mademoiselle Elisabeth de Ledoulx d'Emplet upon their marriage. It was from this moment that the estate began to assert itself in the Margaux wine landscape.

Château Marquis de Terme traversed the centuries, marked by periods of prosperity and turbulence, notably during the French Revolution. In the 19th century, the Feuillerat family took over the reins of the estate, bringing notable improvements to the quality of the wines. In 1855, during the Universal Exhibition organised by Napoleon III, the estate was recognised as a Classified Growth, a distinction that crowned centuries of efforts to perfect the château's wines.

In 1935, Pierre Sénéclauze, a wine merchant, acquired the estate. Since then, the Sénéclauze family has managed Château Marquis de Terme with passion and determination, perpetuating the heritage of this Classified Growth while adapting it to the modern demands of the international wine market. The arrival of Ludovic David in 2009 as the estate's director marked the beginning of a new era, with an emphasis on wine tourism and innovation, while preserving the authenticity of the wines.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Marquis de Terme

Château Marquis de Terme benefits from an exceptional terroir on the left bank, in the heart of the Margaux appellation, renowned for producing some of the most refined wines of the Médoc. The estate extends over 40 hectares, mainly situated on gravel soils typical of Margaux, which ensure excellent drainage for the vines. This type of soil promotes deep rooting and allows the noble grape varieties to express themselves fully.

The vineyard is composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), followed by Merlot (33%) and Petit Verdot (7%), three grape varieties that bring structure, roundness, and aromatic complexity to these wines. The vines are on average 30 to 35 years old, an ideal age for producing high-quality grapes capable of yielding balanced and flavourful wines.

Spread between the communes of Margaux and Cantenac, the estate possesses plots with varied characteristics. Deep gravel soils on clay subsoil, fine gravels, and sandy soils give the wines of Château Marquis de Terme a great diversity of expression. This variety of terroirs allows for precise plot management, with each plot being treated according to its specific needs, ensuring consistent and optimal quality of the grapes.

Since 2017, the estate has been certified organic, testifying to Château Marquis de Terme's commitment to environmentally friendly practices. This certification is the result of a desire to preserve the biodiversity of the vineyard while producing authentic and healthy wines.

Winemaking at Château Marquis de Terme

The winemaking process at Château Marquis de Terme is a clever blend of tradition and innovation. The grapes are harvested manually, with meticulous sorting in the vineyard and again on sorting tables, to select only the ripest and highest quality bunches. The harvests are vinified plot by plot, allowing the specifics of each terroir to be respected.

Alcoholic fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated concrete vats, a technological choice that allows better temperature control and optimises the extraction of aromas and tannins. This method ensures balanced, fine, and elegant wines, in keeping with the Margaux style.

The wines are then aged in French oak barrels for 16 to 18 months, with a proportion of 33% to 50% new barrels. The rest of the ageing takes place in egg-shaped concrete vats, an innovative technique that promotes gentle oxygenation of the wines and accentuates their minerality. This plot-by-plot vinification and careful ageing give the wines of Château Marquis de Terme exceptional complexity and depth.

The Cuvées of Château Marquis de Terme

Château Marquis de Terme offers several cuvées that reflect all the richness and diversity of its terroir.

Marquis de Terme

This flagship cuvée is the pure expression of the Margaux terroir. A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, it is distinguished by its aromas of black fruits, cedar, and tobacco, with a full palate, silky tannins, and a long finish. This wine is designed to age and improve over time, offering a unique experience with each vintage.

Marquis de Terme Cuvée 1762

Launched in 2022 to celebrate the estate's 260th anniversary, Cuvée 1762 is a tribute to the Château's history. This wine aims to be the purest and most elegant expression of the terroir, with a perfect balance between subtlety and power. Crafted from the best plots of the vineyard, this cuvée presents notes of red fruits, spices, and beautiful minerality. It is an exceptional wine that stands out for its finesse and ageing potential.

La Couronne de Marquis de Terme 

Formerly called Les Gondats de Marquis de Terme, this second wine of the estate offers a more accessible approach to the Marquis de Terme style, while retaining a beautiful complexity. Less tannic than the Grand Vin, it can be drunk younger, but retains all the typicity of Margaux wines, with fruity aromas and a beautiful structure.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wines, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years are 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. Recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, symbolising Bordeaux excellence.

Discover the full range of Fourth Classified Growths from Bordeaux, each one representing the richness of the Médoc's prestigious terroirs. In Saint-Julien, explore the wines of Château Beychevelle, Château Branaire-Ducru, and Château Talbot. In Pauillac, Château Duhart-Milon offers wines with the typical character of the appellation, while Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe provides robust vintages. In the Haut-Médoc, Château La Tour Carnet stands out, while Margaux's reputation is upheld by estates such as Château Marquis de Terme, Château Pouget, Château Prieuré-Lichine, and Château Saint-Pierre. Each of these estates reflects, in its own way, the unique identity of the Fourth Growths.

Château Marquis de Terme is an emblematic estate of the Margaux appellation, recognised for its wines of unparalleled finesse and elegance. Classified as a Grand Cru in 1855, this estate has evolved over the centuries while preserving its expertise and unique terroir. Thanks to precise vinification and careful ageing, the wines of Château Marquis de Terme are both modern and timeless, perfect for lovers of great Médoc wines. Whether it's the Grand Vin Marquis de Terme or the Cuvée 1762, each bottle tells the story of this exceptional terroir.