Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre

Identity

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre is a winegrowing estate located in Soussans, in the Gironde. It is currently managed by Jean-Pierre Boyer, who is also the estate's owner.

History and philosophy

The origins of Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre date back to the 18th century, beginning as an agricultural and winegrowing property. Marquis Étienne François d'Aligre is identified as the estate's first known owner, with its pediment bearing the year 1758. In 1800, Étienne Jean François d'Aligre inherited the property. As early as 1825, the estate was bottling its wines on site, using olive-coloured glass bottles.

Historically, Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre was regarded as one of the finest seconds crus in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, it was not submitted to the 1855 classification because the Marquis d'Aligre, who owned it at the time, reserved his production for family and friends, thus bypassing the courtier network. In 1932, the estate was classified as “Grand Cru Exceptionnel” within the Crus Bourgeois framework.

Following the sale of the property by the d'Aligre family in 1897, the estate was acquired in 1947 by Pierre Boyer. Jean-Pierre Boyer took over the management of the property in 1950. The estate chose not to take part in the 2003 Crus Bourgeois classification. Notably, the estate lost most of its harvest in 2017.

Appellations

The parcels of Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre are situated in the Médoc, and the estate produces wines under the Margaux appellation.

Practical information

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre is located on Route de Bel Air, 33460 Soussans. The telephone number is +33557887070. The estate does not offer tours or tastings, and direct sales at the property are not available.

Further information

There is no known official website for the estate.

The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre vineyard covers 13 hectares, characterised by gravel soils. The average age of the vines is 35 years. The vineyard's plant material is regarded as high quality. The grape variety distribution comprises 35% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Petit Verdot. The estate practises complantation (field blending). Harvesting is carried out by hand.

Flagship cuvées

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre produces a singular red wine, sometimes nicknamed the “Margaux défendu”. This wine is crafted solely in years deemed exceptional; vintages that do not meet the estate's standards are sold off in bulk rather than bottled under the château label. The label bears the mention “cru exceptionnel”. The wine's style is frequently praised for its finesse, delicate complexity, and light tannins. It is renowned for its remarkable cellaring potential, capable of ageing over several decades.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification at Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre takes place primarily in vats, notably large cement or concrete vats. The wine undergoes prolonged ageing, lasting three to five years, also carried out in vats without the use of new oak barrels. Following this vat ageing, the wine benefits from extended bottle ageing.