Chateau Marquis de Terme, Margaux 4th Grand Cru Classe 2015

"Lilacs, chocolate, espresso, plums and black cherry aromas create the perfume. The palate is equal to the aromatics with its layers of creamy, textured, sweet, red fruits, touch of chocolate, cinnamon and espresso finish. Drink from 2025-2044"

93 Pts - The Wine Cellar Insider.

Chateau Marquis de Terme is another Bordeaux wine estate with a long history. The original owner was Bernard de Faverolles. In 1661, he sold it to Pierre des Mesures de Rauzan. At the time, this was one of the largest properties in Bordeaux.

In fact, this Medoc estate was so big, it gave birth to 4 different Classified growths; Rauzan-Segla, Rauzan-Gassies, Chateau Desmirail, and Marquis de Terme. 

It was a gift to celebrate the marriage of Mademoiselle Rauzan du Ribail to Jean Desmirail which helped create a dowry gift for the marriage between Elizabeth de Ledoulx d’Emplet and the Marquis de Termes, François de Peguilhan de Larboust.

That wedding gave birth to the estate’s name after the Marquis de Termes took control of the vineyard. Chateau Marquis de Terme was already well known by the 1700s and counted Thomas Jefferson, America’s third President as one of their fans. 

Fast forward, Pierre Seneclauze bought the property in 1935. Marquis de Terme continues to be a family-owned property today as it is owned and managed by the children of Pierre Seneclauze, Jean Seneclauze, Philippe Seneclauze, and Pierre-Louis Seneclauze.

In 2009, a complete renovation and modernization were finished for all the technical wine-making facilities at Chateau Marquis de Terme. In March, 2023, the owners of Marquis de Terme purchased the neighboring estate of Marojallia.

The 40-hectare is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Franc has been removed from the vineyard.

The terroir is gravel, sand, limestone, and clay soils. On average, the vines are 30 years of age. The vines are planted to a density of 10,000 vines per hectare. Their best parcels of vines are located close to the chateau, not far from Rauzan Segla. They also have parcels in the Cantenac commune and a bit further south, planted next to Chateau d'Issan.

To produce the wine of Chateau Marquis de Terme, vinification takes place in large, cement vats that vary in size from 80 hectoliters all the way up to 250 hectoliters. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks.

The wine of Chateau Marquis de Terme is aged in a combination of 33% to 50% new, French oak barrels and a small amount of 600-liter, Nomblot, concrete, egg-shaped vats for an average of 18 months.

Starting with the 2013 vintage, Chateau Marquis de Terme began experimenting with organic farming on a small parcel of vines. They are now farming their vineyards using only, 100% organic vineyard management techniques, and were certified organic in 2017.

In 2020, in a bid to join the growing oenotourisme movement, the estate opened a restaurant on the property called Marquis.