Château Boyd-Cantenac

Identity

Château Boyd-Cantenac is a winegrowing estate located in Cantenac, in the Gironde. It was classified as a Troisième Grand Cru Classé in 1855. The property is managed by Lucien Guillemet, and the Guillemet family has owned it for several generations.

History and Philosophy

The history of Château Boyd-Cantenac dates back to 1754, when Jacques Boyd, an Irish wine merchant, acquired the property. The estate was subsequently purchased by John Lewis Brown in 1806. In 1855, Château Boyd-Cantenac was honoured as a Troisième Grand Cru Classé. The Guillemet family acquired the château in 1932. Since then, four generations of the family have presided over the estate, committed to maintaining a traditional Margaux style. The property is dedicated to an environmentally friendly viticultural approach.

The Appellations

Château Boyd-Cantenac produces wines under the Margaux Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée. This appellation is the southernmost in the Médoc and is renowned for the finesse and elegance of its wines.

Winemaking and Ageing

Winemaking at Château Boyd-Cantenac relies on parcel-by-parcel management for harvesting, vinification, and ageing. Fermentations take place in cement and stainless steel vats. Maceration lasts between 8 and 35 days, followed by malolactic fermentation. Ageing is carried out in French stave oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, during which the wines gradually clarify as they separate from their lees.

Practical Information

Address: 11 route de Jean Faure, 33460 Margaux – Cantenac

Telephone: +33 (0)5 57 88 90 82

Email: administration@boyd-cantenac.fr

The estate offers guided tours of the vineyard and cellars, followed by a tasting hosted by Lucien Guillemet. Visits are strictly by appointment, requiring booking at least 24 hours in advance. The maximum group size is 8 people. Preferred visiting hours are from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard of Château Boyd-Cantenac spans 17 hectares in the heart of the Margaux appellation, on the Left Bank of the Garonne. The soils consist of gravel and pebbles blended with clayey sand, or more specifically, lean siliceous gravel with a low clay content, deposited during the Quaternary period. The average age of the vines is 45 years. The planted red grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Merlot (30%), and Petit Verdot (4%). Viticultural practices include natural grass cover and replacing chemical fertilisers with organic compost. Harvesting is carried out by hand.

Flagship Cuvées

The estate's grand vin is Château Boyd-Cantenac. It typically displays a deep ruby colour with purple tints. On the nose, it is rich and expressive, revealing aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry, floral notes of violet, and oaky nuances of cedar and vanilla. On the palate, it delivers a generous structure with fine-grained tannins, dark fruit flavours, spicy and mineral touches, and a long, refined finish.

The estate also produces second wines, including Croix de Boyd-Cantenac, Jacques Boyd, and Joséphine de Boyd. These cuvées generally come from younger vines and are crafted to be enjoyed within five to ten years of bottling. They are lighter and fruitier, while retaining the subtle, complex, delicate, and elegant profile characteristic of Margaux wines.