1er Grand Cru Class\u00e9 en 1855<\/p>\n
Margaux<\/p>\n
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Gerda: Tell us about you…<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Aur\u00e9lien Valance<\/strong>: I am passionate about wine and I have turned my passion into a job.<\/span><\/p>\n Gerda:\u00a0What are the main challenges you personally face, in the practice of your work?<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Aur\u00e9lien Valance<\/strong>:\u00a0To improve the image of Ch\u00e2teau Margaux, innovate, and find a long-term balance but without a negative impact on the environment. Ch\u00e2teau Margaux belongs to a family. It is a comfortable situation without pressure. Ch\u00e2teau Margaux has a unique identity: a family and a wine.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gerda:\u00a0How did your harvest go?<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Aur\u00e9lien Valance<\/strong>: 2020 has been more stressful than 2021 because of Covid. 2021 is going to be a classical vintage, high quality, with concentrated wines, elegant and fresh. We are satisfied with the yield of 35hl\/ha despite a very important mildew pressure and the fact that we only use products authorized in organic agriculture.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gerda: What positioning (s) do you want for your brand (s)?<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Aur\u00e9lien Valance<\/strong>: To create a real identity, a clear identity for the customer so that they want to buy Ch\u00e2teau Margaux. The people who buy our wines must know what Ch\u00e2teau Margaux is.<\/span><\/p>\n G<\/span>: How do your wines stand out, and are unique?<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n AV<\/strong>: Ch\u00e2teau <\/span>Margaux wines have an extreme charm. They are like silk: soft and solid. They have incredible perfume, texture, and soft tannins. I really like the immediate pleasure they give when you drink them now, they are even better after 50 years.<\/p>\n G<\/span>: Which of your recent accomplishments would you like to share with your customers<\/span>?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n AV<\/strong>:\u00a0100 years<\/strong>\u00a0celebration of Pavillon Blanc du Ch\u00e2teau Margaux 2020<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span>We have been producing white wine since 1710. Initially called Ch\u00e2teau Margaux White Sauvignon wine, it was called Pavillon Blanc du Ch\u00e2teau Margaux from 1920! With the 2020 vintage, we wanted to celebrate the centenary of its name by creating a unique bottle for the occasion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Special bottle for the 100 years celebration of the name Pavillon Blanc du Ch\u00e2teau Margaux 1920 -2020<\/em><\/p>\n G: What future project are you currently working on?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n AV: <\/span><\/strong>We are always working on lots of different projects but I am just going to speak about one.\u00a0We are currently considering a new extension of our fermenting room. The 80 hectares of vines are divided into a hundred parcels which requires as many vats, or even more, to be vinified separately. So ideally we would like to add about forty more of various sizes.<\/p>\n G<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong>How far along are your property(ies) in the “green transition”?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n AV<\/strong>:\u00a0We are doing very deep studies on our carbon footprint, but also on composting and geothermal energy. A full-time person is working on these subjects, Aur\u00e9lie Dutreux<\/strong>, who is an engineer and scientist. She has carried out studies on the use of electric tractors. Even if this requires twice as many tractors, the conclusion was positive because they are lighter and therefore better for the soil. This is a subject that is close to our hearts, but we need to look at it as a global subject. We would like to know the carbon footprint of our suppliers and our partner-negociants.<\/span><\/p>\n We are also HVE certified (High Environmental Value) and we only use products authorized for organic farming in our vineyards.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gerd<\/span><\/strong>a<\/span><\/strong><\/span>: What are your priorities in terms of business development?\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Aur\u00e9lien Valance<\/strong>: We want to spread our distribution as much as possible, we do not want to be dependent on one market. We want to be known for being one of the best wines in the world. Regarding the distribution, I have ideas that I discuss only with negociant during our meetings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n G<\/span><\/strong>: Which vintages should the market be interested in? and why?<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n AV<\/span><\/strong>:<\/span> There are so many. 1996 and 2000 are incredible but I really like 1997<\/strong>, 1999<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a02004 <\/strong> that give incredible pleasure.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G<\/strong>: Do you plan for market or new releases in the near future?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n AV<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0We do not want to create an artificial rarity, and we do not too much marketing. We adapt to the needs of the market and our partner-negociants.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0<\/strong>What sales support materials are available to distributors to promote your wines?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n AV:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span>We have a website as well as an Instagram account with 75.000 followers. We are present in all the professional media. Ch\u00e2teau Margaux is a family business, and two of the owner, Madam Mentzelopoulos’s kids, Alexandra <\/strong>and Alexis<\/strong>, are very involved. Alexis is based in Paris, and he is traveling a lot. Our general director, Philippe Bascaules<\/strong>, our commercial relations and development manager, Thomas Burke<\/strong> who is working by my side, as well as\u00a0Fangyuan Zheng<\/strong>, our development manager in China, and I are available to promote our wines to our customers all over the world.<\/span><\/p>\n Website & Instagram<\/strong> <\/p>\n On March 29th, the commercial team of Roland Coiffe & Associ\u00e9s had the honor of having a two and a half-hour visit with the fascinating Aur\u00e9lien Valance. The 350 years of history of Ch\u00e2teau Margaux, the exceptional terroir, and the philosophy of Ch\u00e2teau Margaux are exceptional elements that are reflected in its prodigious wines, certainly one of the greatest wines in the world.<\/p>\n Pavillon Rouge du Ch\u00e2teau Margaux 2010<\/strong>:\u00a0This second wine has already all the makings of a Premier and proudly displays the balance and freshness that is specific to Ch\u00e2teau Margaux. On the nose, very pleasant aromas such as blackberry, and strawberry. The woodiness, very well blended, reveals notes of cedar and vanilla.<\/span><\/p>\n On the palate, it is dense, silky, long and of a formidable purity. The tannins are coated, we feel a controlled heat in this vintage.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/insidelaplace.rcassocies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/3_chateau.png\")
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\nHarvest 2021<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nThe brand Ch\u00e2teau Margaux today and tomorrow<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nThe business<\/h3>\n
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\nThe tasted Wines<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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