Château Marquis de Terme – Margaux, Grand Cru Classé 1855

Floral finesse, modern depth and heritage elegance at the heart of Margaux

1. General Presentation

Classified as a Fourth Grand Cru in 1855, Château Marquis de Terme stands today as one of the most confident and contemporary signatures of Margaux. Located in Cantenac, at the heart of the appellation, the estate has undergone a decisive renewal since 2009 under the leadership of Ludovic David, whose vision combines parcel precision, aromatic elegance and technical rigor.

This evolution has positioned Marquis de Terme among the most reliable, seductive and identity-driven wines of the Left Bank, expressing a style that blends floral tension, fruit purity and refined depth.

2. History & Family – A Reinterpreted Legacy

Born from several noble lineages that shaped the history of the Médoc, the estate has carried the name Marquis de Terme since the 18th century. Classified as a Grand Cru in 1855, it belongs to the lineage of great Cantenac wines, renowned for their aromatic grace and silky length.

The modern era begins with the arrival of Ludovic David, who restructured the vineyard, refined ageing techniques and introduced a contemporary reading of Margaux’s terroir—rigorous work in the vineyard, strict selection and the search for a vibrant balance between fruit, freshness and depth.

3. Terroir – Deep Gravel of Margaux: Nobility and Natural Balance

The estate covers about 40 hectares on some of the most emblematic soils of Margaux:

• Deep Günzian gravel – the backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Clay-sandy subsoils – ideal water regulation for slow ripening.
• Southwest-facing gravelly rises – perfect drainage, fine tannins.
• Ancient terraces – aromatic complexity and spicy freshness.

Varietal Composition

• Cabernet Sauvignon (dominant) – structure, aromatic precision, ageing potential.
• Merlot – roundness, softness, velvety texture.
• Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc – tension, spice, vertical lift.

This composite terroir creates wines that are airy yet profound, with a distinctly Margaux profile: delicate florality, satiny texture and harmonious tannins.

4. Viticulture – Parcel Precision and Sculpted Ripeness

Vineyard work follows a reasoned approach, evolving steadily toward increasingly sustainable practices:

• meticulous soil management,
• hedgerows, biodiversity and thoughtful cover-crop management,
• 100% manual harvesting,
• multiple sorting steps, cluster by cluster then berry by berry,
• sharp parcel monitoring to achieve ideal phenolic maturity.

Each parcel is vinified separately, allowing for a precise expression of the terroir and a perfectly calibrated aromatic signature.

5. Winemaking & Ageing – Purity, Balance and Controlled Modernity

Vinifications are carried out in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with exacting precision:

• long fermentations with gentle extraction,
• carefully measured pump-overs to preserve delicacy,
• macertions adapted to the density of each vintage,
• fruit expression always comes first.

Ageing

• 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels,
• around 50% new oak,
• perfect integration without excessive oak influence.

The style is clear: refined density, polished tannins, fresh menthol lift and a floral, elongated finish.

6. Wine Style – The Modern Signature of Margaux

The wines of Château Marquis de Terme display a distinctive and recognizable identity:

• expressive floral nose: violet, peony, blackcurrant, wild blackberry,
• notes of graphite, sweet spices and cassis leaf,
• satiny texture and controlled velvety body,
• fresh, slightly peppery structure,
• long, airy, streamlined finish.

Ageing potential: 15 to 20 years, sometimes more in warm vintages. A vibrant, delicate and elegant style — the modern essence of Margaux.

7. Key Cuvées

Château Marquis de Terme – Grand Vin
The estate’s flagship wine: noble depth, sculpted dark fruit, remarkably fine tannins, spicy freshness and a long, persistent finish. A benchmark of the Cantenac plateau.

La Couronne de Marquis de Terme
The elegant, charming second wine: softer structure, bright fruit, immediate accessibility — the perfect introduction to the Grand Cru Classé.

8. Why Choose Château Marquis de Terme?

• A modern, precise signature of Margaux.
• Exemplary parcel-based vineyard management.
• Remarkable consistency in quality for more than a decade.
• Floral, vibrant, seductive style.
• A clear identity: elegance over opulence, freshness over heaviness.
• A Grand Cru Classé steadily rising in reputation year after year.