94pts Decanter
First vintage that I have tasted from this estate, purchased in 2006 by Bernard Magrez and renamed from Château le Peyre. Vinified partly in oak barrel, partly in clay amphora, this is polished and finessed but actually more restrained than perhaps I was expecting. A serious wine, with an emphasis on tightly-knitted cassis fruits. An absolutely beautiful whoosh of juicy menthol comes in from mid palate onwards, and a tight tannic crush on the finish that suggests this is going to age well. It's big shouldered, as all Magrez wines are, but this is a welcome addition to the St Estèphe landscape.
93pts James Suckling
Cloves, berries and dried flowers, such as lilacs on the nose, following through to a medium body with fine and firm tannins that run the length of the wine. Give it time to open, but it shows some finesse and refinement. Best after 2024.
92pts Jeb Dunnuck
Blackcurrants, new leather, damp earth, and tobacco notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Bernard Magrez. It's a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, still tight and backward 2019 that's going to need bottle age.
92pts Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Bernard Magrez (from Saint-Estephe) features pronounced blackberry pie, crushed blackcurrants and redcurrant jelly notes with hints of pencil shavings, chocolate box, Sichuan pepper and cardamom. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly played and refreshing with loads of mineral sparks emerging from the lively black fruits and a rugged foundation of chewy tannins, finishing with a peppery kick.
Winemaker's Notes
Chateau Bernard Magrez in St. Estephe is a small 8-hectare property that was acquired in 2016. The terroir benefits from soil-rich nutrients from the Gironde estuary and the vineyard is located on a parcel with 30 meters of elevation. The wines from this property are already attracting the attention of wine critics and wine lovers. Composed of 67% Merlot & 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, the nose of blackberry and black cherry fruit dominates this full-bodied, muscular wine. Black tea, leather, and vanilla mingle in the mouth. A hefty dose of oak means this wine will age well for 10-20 years. Aged 18 months, 35% new French oak, 10% clay jars.
History
Bernard Magrez - Creator of Luxury Wine Experience. Owner of 42 vineyards around the world and a famous producer of great Bordeaux wines. Some see it as the career of a man driven by a quest for perfection, others see the passion of a determined entrepreneur. Bernard Magrez’s journey is that of passion, a constant desire for improvement, know-how and exceptional success which has its roots first in Bordeaux, in the Grands Crus Classws, then in other prestigious terroirs in France and around the world. Bernard Magrez owns many of Bordeaux's most iconic estates including Chateau Pape Clement an exceptional Grand Cru Classe in Graves from Pessac-Lwognan. Celebrated for his attention to detail in the vineyard and constant achievement of excellence in the winery which translates into award-winning wines for every occasion.
