Château Meyney 2018

Château Meyney is a Saint-Estèphe property with one of the longest histories in the Médoc.  This storied estate is a Cru Bourgeoise that produces a charming, delightful and energetic wine that is an affordable value.  Like many Saint-Estèphe producers, Château Meyney may start out a bit robust and tannic, requiring a bit of ageing in bottle prior to expressing itself fully and being enjoyed at its fullest potential.  We can assure you, with just a bit of time, Château Meyney is well worth the wait.
 
Château Meyney is an estate that dates all the way back to 1660.  The promise of the terroir at Château Meyney was apparent in those days as monks planted the first vines at this time.  Prior to this, Château Meyney was a convent.  The modern age for this property starts in 1917, when it was purchased by the well-established Cordier family.  Georges Pauli, the owner of Château Cantemerle in the Haut Medoc and Gruaud Larose in Saint-Julién purchased this estate.  Georges Pauli ran Château Meyney for many years. The estate was eventually purchased in 2004 by CA Grand Crus, a négociant that oversees several other Bordeaux properties including Château Grand Puy Ducasse in Pauillac.  They hired the well-respected Hubert de Bouard of Château Angelus to consult at the property in 2013.  Since these changes were made, the estate has been on an impressive trajectory as of late, with scores climbing to the low 90s.    
 
This 51-hectare Left Bank property is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  The property initially had some plantings of Cabernet Franc in the vineyard, but they were removed and replaced with Merlot.  Interestingly enough, the vineyard is planted in one large single parcel.  This is considered  highly unusual for such an enormous property.  The vineyard is planted on some of the best hilltops above the Gironde Estuary.  Some of the parcels are situated near to impressive Classified Growths, such as the Second Growth powerhouse, Château Montrose. Saint-Estèphe properties typically have plenty of clay, and Château Meyney is no different.  Château Meyney has gravel and sand with a large streak of blue clay close to three meters thick, which helps the Merlot vines absorb the water and nutrients they need. Château Meyney has vines that are 35 to 40 years old, and some are close to 100 years old.  These 100 year old vines are some of the oldest within the Saint-Estèphe appellation.
 
The grapes are harvested by hand and picked carefully, assuring only the choicest varietals get chosen for the wine.  After this, they are then passed through an optical sorting machine prior to being fermented in vats of varying sizes.  The wine of Château Meyney is subsequently vinified in traditional temperature controlled cement vats prior to being aged in an average of 50% new French oak barrels for approximately 18 months. Younger vintages of Château Meyney can be decanted for 1 to 2 hours.  Château Meyney prides itself in creating complex, concentrated wines with complexity, balance and harmony. 

Château Meyney’s vineyard is planted of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot, on a perfectly-drained gravel soil that provides ideal conditions for grapes ripening. This unusually high share of Petit Verdot explains a particular trait of the wines, which regularly show notes of leather and musk after a period of time. The wine is full-bodied, well-rounded and structured. After aging, the wine displays the remarkable charm of the best Saint-Estèphe: complexity, balance and harmony.

"It's clear that this is hugely concentrated, as is the Montrose right next door, but there's also beautiful juice and freshness underneath the black fruits and the powerful grip. Tannins, acidity and fruit: it's all there. This is great quality and should be long-lived, with a rich palate, evenly balanced and austere in all the right places. Another good vintage at this increasingly impressive property." - Jane Anson, Decanter, (04/01/2019), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2024 - 2040

"The 2018 Meyney has opened up slightly on the nose since I tasted it from barrel, gradually revealing attractive scents of brambly black fruit, raspberry, Indian ink and hints of sage and clove. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, well-judged acidity and plenty of graphite toward the finish, which just needs to develop more precision. This feels a bit blocky at the moment, but I am sure it will eventually come round." - Neal Martin, Vinous, (03/12/2021), Ratings: 91