Overview

Chateau Desmirail is a domaine in the Margaux appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of fourteen Troisiemes Crus (Third Growths) in the historic Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.

Chateau Desmirail was once part of the vast Rauzan estate owned by Pierre de Mesures de Rauzan in the mid-17th century. Over time the estate was divided, and by the time of the 1855 Classification, had been separated into the estates of Chateau Rauzan-Gassies, Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Chateau Desmirail, and Chateau Marquis de Terme.

The vineyards benefit from the gravelly soils that characterise better vineyards on the left bank of the Gironde, although there are also areas of sand and clay. There are approximately 30 hectares to the estate, with vines aged over 25 years on average. Chateau Desmirail is planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, the remainder mostly Merlot at 39% and a tiny 1% of Cabernet Franc. The fruit is hand-harvested before being sorted on tables in the vineyard, from where it travels to destemming area before crushing. During the fermentation the must is pumped over the cap, and the temperature regulated to around 30C, with subsequent maceration of the solids at approx 28C. Following this the wine is run off into fresh vats for malolactic fermentation, tasting and assigning the wines to either the grand vin, Chteau Desmirail, or the second wine which goes by the name of Chteau Fontarney for the French market and Initial de Desmirail for export and for the French restaurant trade.

The grand vin is aged in oak for 12-18 months, with approx 30% being new oak.