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Chateau Mazeyres

Chateau Mazeyres is in Pomerol stands on an ancient site, as demonstrated by the presence of Gallo-Roman ruins and pottery found near the chateau. There has been wine production here for centuries, and as recently as the 19th Century the estate was one of the largest in Pomerol, with a considerable 30 hectares under vine, although this had fallen to 10 hectares in more recent times.

Much more recently, the estate was one of several in the ownership of the Querre family, notable local négociants. They had been active in the region since 1893, when the family firm was established by Théophile Querre, who went on to purchase his first vineyard in Pomerol in 1909. The business passed to sons Daniel and Christian, who worked jointly for many years, before eventually dividing the business in 1953. This remained the situation until 1973 when the next generation, Alain and Michel, decided to regroup, reuniting the two sides of the family. Somewhere along the way, however, the family had added at least one more property to their portfolio, this being Chateau Mazeyres.

In 1988 Mazeyres was purchased, complete with wooded parkland surrounding the 19th Century chateau, by Caisse de Retraite de la Société Générale, a French pension fund and just one of several financial institutions to have purchased Bordeaux properties over the past few decades. The property needed an extensive overhaul, and Alain Moueix, who now runs Chateau Fonroque as well as a host of other right bank properties, was just the man for the job. He was appointed here in 1992, and he immediately set about the task in hand.

First step was to increase the area under vine, and the vineyard has thus climbed from just 10 hectares to its current size of 22 hectares. In doing so the vineyards were reorganised, with some plots of vines uprooted and replaced, in order to ensure that grape varieties and soil type were correctly matched. The vines lie on the lower terrace, and consist largely of a mix of clay with gravel and sand - soil-types that feature heavily in Pomerol, and which extend into the upper part of the St Emilion appellation beneath Cheval-Blanc and Figeac - over a subsoil of the iron-rich crasse de fer. The vines, which have an average age of 30 years, are planted at a density of 6000 vines/ha, comprise 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, and are under the care of vineyard manager Jean-Michel Bernard. They are cropped at a typical yield of 48 hl/ha, and harvested by hand. The winery itself, much of which was housed in buildings originally part of a 16th Century convent, was also modernised, together with the installation of brand new small fermenting vats with temperature control. After fermentation, which is overseen by cellarmaster Etienne Charrier, the wine is transferred by gravity feed to oak barrels, of which 40-50% are new each year. Her it completes malolactic fermentation, and rests for up to 18 months before a light egg white fining, but no filtering.

The grand vin is Chateau Mazeyres, of which about 5800 cases are produced per annum. The second wine is Le Seuil de Mazeyres, of which there are up to 3300 cases each vintage. They are distributed by many négociants, but one name - Maison Querre - is one that seems familiar. The wines themselves are perhaps not so familiar; they eschew the exciting, exotic, seductive nature that I associate with Pomerol, following instead a path more supple, elegant, and restrained. They have many positive qualities, and are clearly made with great care and attention. They are not, however, top of the bill in Pomerol, an appellation populated by small estates turning out seductive wines. Having said that, in a good vintage such as 2005, the wines can give pleasure, and are worth considering. (22/4/04, updated 16/5/08)

Contact details:
Address: Chateau Mazeyres, 56 avenue Georges Pompidou, 33500 Libourne
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 57 51 00 48
Fax +33 (0) 5 57 25 22 56
Internet: www.mazeyres.com

Chateau Mazeyres - Tasting Notes

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2005

Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol) 2005: This has a little raft of dark fruits on the nose, with some liquorice elements, but otherwise it does not seem very open. The palate has a ripe, supple and smooth composition, with a seamless, elegant presence in the mouth. There is pleasing although restrained fruit, with nice grip underneath. It has the gentle polish that is typical of Mazeyres, without the punch that the vintage has brought to other wines of the commune. From my tasting of 2005 Bordeaux at two years of age. 16.5-17+/20 (November 2007)

2003

Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol) 2003: A typically hot element to the nose here, showing peppery confit cherry pie. Ripe and rounded, it is also soft and weighty, supple and yet textured. There is a lot of new tannin, just behind the fruit, as expected, as well as a rather soft acidity. This is very telling of the vintage I am afraid, although it does have some elements of appeal. 16+/20 (November 2007)

2001

Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol) 2001: This has a rather woody character on the nose, and in fact isn't really very expressive otherwise. The palate is lean, and doesn't offer the pleasing texture that many of the other wines seem to possess. There is little fruit expression on the palate also, with a considerable layer of tannins. It has a rather hard and austere finish. It may just be closed down, although that would not usually affect the texture. It would be worthwhile revisiting this, if and when I get the chance. From a tasting of 2001 Pomerol. 15.5?/20 (February 2008)

Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol) 2001: A more lifted nose, with some exotic aromas. Medium body on the palate, with a lot of structure in the form of firm tannins and acidity. Black fruits with a touch of perfume. This has appeal, but not the impact of the preceding vintage. 15.5+/20 (November 2003)

Le Seuil de Mazeyres (Pomerol) 2001: The second wine. A fruit dominated nose. A good fleshy palate, with soft, sweet ripe fruit and a decent tannic backbone. For current drinking. 15/20 (November 2003)

2000

Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol) 2000: There is more density here. It is complex, with exotic and spicy fruit. On the palate it is plainly still very youthful, although with a supple character which is pleasing, an elegant and quite seamless cover placed over the extract and well hidden tannic grip. With its gentle and harmonious finish, this should develop well in the cellar. 16.5-17+/20 (November 2007)

1998

Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol) 1998: This has an attractive nose, showing a wealth of deep, meaty, rather feral style of wine showing notes of animal fur and sticking plaster. It is smoky and dense. The palate, though, has a rather gentle style, showing rounded, rather sandy fruit, with gentle tannins underneath. This is firm, supple but certainly elegant, and it still has more to give with time in the cellar I think. This could be very attractive indeed. 16+/20 (November 2007)

Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol) 1998: Much more dense fruit on the nose here, again with emerging notes of freshly roasted cashew nuts alongside. A lovely texture on the palate. It is rich and weighty, mouth-filling and creamy. Lovely and very typical. There is still some tannin in the background, and firm acidity, and if truth be told it is still somewhat backward overall. This needs five years. 16+/20 (November 2003)

1997

Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol) 1997: This has classic Pomerol character, with exotic aromas rising alongside notes of cashew nuts and mature fruit. The palate is rounded, integrated and ready, with some soft acidity keeping it fresh. A good effort for the vintage. 14.5/20 (November 2003)