Château Meyney

The comeback of a great Saint-Estèphe

Château Meyney is heir to one of the oldest vineyards in the Médoc. According to historians this land was planted with vines for more than 350 years, and more specifically since 1662, when Feuillants monks already established in the area planted the first vines on the Prieuré de Couley (its former name was Château Meyney).

From the beginning the emphasis on quality was one of the leitmotifs of the property. The Prieuré de Couley was even mentioned in 1776 as “the best thought of the parish of Saint-Estèphe” royal wine in the first census of the Gironde, this census was conducted at the request of the steward Dupré de Saint-Maur for Louis XVI then freshly crowned King of the Kingdom and colonies of France.

In 1789, following the French Revolution, the castle was seized as a national property and by the order of Feuillants Monks dissolves. It was then auctioned and acquired by Mr. Luetkens of Bordeaux wine merchant and then already the owner of Château La Tour Carnet. Like Feuillants Monks, Mr. Luetkens of seeing the potential of this region decided to engage in a demanding quality policy.

The Luetkens family sold the Château Meyney in 1919 to the Cordier family who was also a great Bordeaux merchant. She was also the owner of classified growths of Bordeaux: Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Château Gruaud Larose, Clos des Jacobins and Château Talbot.

In 1989 Jean Cordier, following a shift, the band broke up a few properties including the Chateau Meyney which was sold to Crédit Agricole. End of 2004 the field entered the wine heritage of the company CA Grands Crus, a subsidiary of Credit Agricole. Currently CA Grands Cru also owns châteaux/vineyards: Grand-Puy-Ducasse (Pauillac), La Tour de Mons (Margaux), Rayne Vigneau (Sauternes) Blaignan (Médoc), Clos Saint Vincent (Saint Emilion Grand Cru), Château Saint Louis La Perdrix (Costières de Nîmes) and the Château de Santenay (Burgundy).

On a more romantic and personal point of view, the Chateau Meyney boasts one of the best views of Saint-Estèphe. Majestically built on the mound, this beautiful cloister completed in the 17th century, has a view overlooking vineyards with in the bottom of the Garonne estuary (East side). To the direction of the monastery there is a small shaded by a majestic old pine garden that will make you want to ask the couch, open a bottle and have a good time in the company of a book.

Upon entering the main course you will be overwhelmed by a feeling of fullness and calm. As if you were alone in the world of hundred places where all souls living, simply surrounded by old stone and ivy. Only thing that will remind you that you are in the middle of vineyards, west portal that reveals through its grid a landscape of vineyards. Long story short! A property that I particularly appreciated.

Where does the name “Château Meyney” and “Prieuré des Couley” comes from?

Prieuré des Couley:”Couley” means “stream” the name given in reference to many creek crossing the property. The “Lion Fountain” on the right side of the castle is a testament to the former presence of many sources.

Regarding the name “Meyney” the regional etymology tells us that the origin of the word “Meyney” is a little “mayne” in old Gascon. This word refers to a farm, and, by extension, a rural locality. So Meyney is a small hamlet known Saint-Estèphe for centuries.

Meeting around a glass of wine with Anne Lenaour (Technical Director) and Denis Rataud (Winemaker)

Anne Lenaour: Original from Paris Anne Lenaour, thanks to her parents, has always had a high sensitivity / strong attraction to food and tableware. From early childhood she was practicing to feel the different cheeses (another of his passions) and wines. At the end of her studies in agricultural engineering, when she had to choose a career path Anne LeNaour long hesitated between two noble professions: cheese production or oenology.

After a difficult choice she decided to move to the vineyard being “wonderful plant for the next generation and to participate in the creation of a product synonymous with conviviality.” Anne for the winegrower is a profession that must be exercised in “the interests of environmental protection, maintenance of regional landscapes. A business that conveys cultural, heritage, social and historical values. ”

Today Anne Lenaour handles all the technical aspects for the properties of CA Grands Crus.

Denis Rataud: Original Charente Denis Rataud arrived in Gironde in 1968 accompanying his newly hired workers wine Château Talbot as parents. Unlike Anne Lenaour he did not wish from his youth to work in the vineyard. His first desire was to become a carpenter / joiner. However, following an internship with a cabinetmaker he changed his mind and decided to refocus.

In 1974 he was hired as a laborer of Château Talbot cellars. In addition to “learning by doing,” he studied at the Faculty of Oenology of Bordeaux. It was in 1989 that Denis Rataud, following a proposal by the Cordier family, succeeded Winemaker of the Prieuré de Couley and returned to the Château Meyney and therefore.

According to you how should like the perfect “Meney” wine ?

“The perfect vintage for Chateau Meyney would combine power and elegance. This wine is always would feel the terroir of Meyney (spicy, earthy and fresh), spices (always to land and unusual plantings) and tasting would be a present but smooth tannins. It is well balanced, not heavy, with good acidity “(Anne Lenaour)

What is the guideline when creating a “Château Meyney” wine?

“Quite powerful wines in their youth with a tendency to express a strong tannic potential, like any great cellaring wine. No exaggeration to power in order to favor a style of wine. Work of the barrel with a percentage of new wood ‘reasonable’. And typical flavors of Petit Verdot fairly present (compared to what is classic encounter in the region). “(Anne Lenaour and Denis Rataud)

Vini story of the week: How is it believed that this quality is not in the list of “Grand Crus” in 1855?

One of the main reasons for the probable name is ranking at the time the owner family of the Chateau Meyney was a royalist. But you should know that the 1855 ranking (which was not supposed continued) established in anticipation of the Paris Universal Exposition was made at the request of Napoleon III. It is very possible that in the middle where France was looking policy regime a Bonapartist regime would not help royalist vineyards to thrive.

An other anecdote:

Since 2009, each year, a collection of more than oak tercentenary is purchased by a cooper to produce maximum fifty exceptional barrels. After 3 years of seasoning a barrel comes in each winery (Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse, Château Rayne Vigneau and Château Meyney). High 17 months this wine barrel gives rise to a specific bottling a quick less than 300 bottles which are assembled in a “Trilogy” box set a bottle of each property.

Thanks to Anne Lenaour for the hospitality.

Jonathan ChoukrounChicheportiche

Château Meyney