Bordeaux 2010 Primeurs: The Top Ten
I’m not sure how many times I have visited Château Margaux. I’m not trying to pretend that I am a seasoned veteran who has visited and tasted at this property for many decades, my arrival feted by the always understated Corinne Mentzelopoulos and the statesmanlike Paul Pontallier (he would make a good ambassador to any foreign nation, should Bordeaux ever declare independence from the rest of France). I merely mean to point out that, as I type this during my return journey from the 2010 primeurs, the exact figure escapes me. I suspect I have visited Margaux on perhaps four, five or maybe even six separate occasions. It is nothing extraordinary, but it is still rather more than I would have predicted if you had asked me to future-gaze four or five years ago.
Nevertheless, regardless of how many times I may or may not have visited, the château never fails to make an impact on me; its scale is a league apart within Bordeaux, easily boasting five floors and that does not include any cellars or other deeper chambers that might exist. And it is just one small part of the Margaux estate of course; surrounding it are the vat rooms, barrel rooms, cooperage and other buildings where Pontallier and his team make the wine. And beyond that there are gardens, parklands and vineyards of course, many surrounding the château, although there are a few hectares more distantly located. All in all the expanse of Margaux amounts to 262 hectares, and such a grand estate is well suited to activities other than wine of course. Why not a music venue? After all, on the same theme Ireland has Slane Castle and the USA has Madison Square Garden. Today, for France, Château Margaux (shown below) may rank alongside these iconic names.
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