Margaux · outside the 1855 classification
Château Monbrison: available vintages, prices and pairings
The grand vin of Monbrison, vintage by vintage, with the format, the indicative price and what to expect from it today: ready to drink, or to keep. Tick what interests you, and the quote goes out with your selection.
Vintages on the price list
Filter by budget or by “ready to drink”. Nothing is sent until you click on the quote.
The château
In Arsac, next to classified growths, on gravel. A family estate, run by the Vonderheyden family.
Cabernet sauvignon and merlot, a little cabernet franc and petit verdot. The style of the appellation without the price of a classified growth: ready at around five years, it lasts fifteen or so. The appellation's other châteaux are on the Margaux wines page.
The Margaux vineyard covers 15.5 hectares on the plateau between Arsac and Margaux: Pyrenean gravels several metres deep, gravel and pebbles of every size, which provide natural drainage. Since 2015, the estate has also farmed 6.5 hectares of clay-limestone in the Haut-Médoc, near Arcins, for another wine. The 2012 marks the return of an oceanic climate after two dry years; it is 68% cabernet sauvignon. The 2014, after a stormy spring and summer, owes its ripeness to a summery September. In 2017, the frost of 27 April lightly affected the vineyard; the blend rises to 75% cabernet sauvignon.
What to serve it with
- A vintage six years old or more: lamb (which wine with lamb), entrecôte steak (which wine with beef).
- A younger vintage: roast poultry (which wine with poultry), duck breast (which wine with duck).
- With cheese: hard cheeses (which wine with cheese).
Which vintage for which occasion
A Margaux for every table at a wedding or a family reunion (which Bordeaux for a wedding). For a birthday, the birth year, if the table has it (birth-year vintage).
Is Monbrison a classified growth?
No. It isn't in the 1855 classification. That is what makes it an affordable Margaux, often ready earlier than a classified growth.
Why choose an unclassified Margaux?
For the style of the appellation, fragrant and fine, at a table-wine price. For a big gathering, a good unclassified wine beats a great name in a small year.
When should you drink a Monbrison?
Allow five years before opening it and fifteen years of good form, a little more in a great year, a little less in a weak year or in half-bottles. The table applies this rule to each line; it isn't a tasting note, and a badly stored bottle ages faster.
Are the prices shown the prices on the quote?
They are the indicative prices from the price list, incl. VAT, per bottle of the format, excluding delivery. The quote confirms the price, the availability of each vintage and shipping; the delivery scale gives the lead times. For a vintage missing from the table, the quote request is still open.