Chateau Desmirail was awarded third growth status in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. The property itself sits on very desirable Médoc soil, and backs onto Chateau Palmer. In I957 it was purchased and added to the Chateau Palmer estate and for a while it looked like the end of Chateau Desmirail. These days however, it is back as its own entity under the control of the Lurton family, who purchased the land, revived the buildings, and have been making wine here since 1981.

The Lurton family employs the strictest quality controls and wine-making techniques to ensure that Chateau Desmirail remains true to its third growth status. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes are both used in the wine, and the grapes are all handpicked. A maturation period of 12-18 months in oak takes place before the wine is then further aged in the bottle. Each year about one third of the oak barrels are replaced, to ensure that the oak flavours and aromas do not dominate the wine.

Today the wine is as splendid as ever, classic and well structured with flavours of black currants and a light acidity and good age-worthy tannins. This is a seriously elegant and classy wine!


Chateau Desmirail wines:
Chateau Cantemerle 2003
Chateau Cantemerle 2004
Chateau Cantemerle 2005
Haut-Medoc de Desmirail 2003