Portraits of winemakers

CHÂTEAU MARCHAND BELLEVUE: RED WINES FOR PLEASURE IN THE ENTRE-DEUX-MERS REGION

CHÂTEAU MARCHAND BELLEVUE

Representing the third generation to care for the estate, Alain Dufourg has committed to producing high-quality wines while respecting the environment.

Quality and Environmental Respect

“I was born into it,” says Alain Dufourg. With a diploma in agricultural management and accounting, this wine enthusiast, son, and grandson of winemakers, decided to establish himself in 1989 by purchasing an estate in Targon. He created the property from scratch and gained experience along the way. In 2010, he set aside this estate in favor of the family business, Château Haut-Marchand, which he renamed Château Marchand Bellevue, a name suggested by his friends who admired the beautiful view of the estate's vineyards. With his expertise and the historic family know-how, Alain Dufourg takes care of the vineyard and its 33 hectares of vines. A unique feature of the estate is that it exclusively produces red grape varieties: Merlot (60%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), and Petit Verdot (10%). “I don’t produce white wines out of personal conviction. Not being a great lover of white wine, I prefer to create quality red wine cuvées and occasionally a bit of rosé,” Alain explains. Indeed, 90% of the production is sold under AOC Bordeaux Rouge, and 10% under AOC Bordeaux Rosé.

His partner Sylvie soon joined him on the estate to support the commercial development. Together, they are breathing new life into his grandfather's land. As a side note, his grandfather was one of the founders of the Romagne cooperative winery near Targon in 1936.

Respectful of the environment, the vineyard is managed under sustainable agriculture and has achieved Level 2 High Environmental Value certification. Thanks to their efforts to limit inputs while caring for their vines, the vineyard could achieve Level 3 certification as early as next year.

Enjoyable, Smooth, and Fruity Wines

Their motto? To create quality wines that respect the environment and consumer tastes. Alain is dedicated to crafting enjoyable, smooth, fruity, and easy-to-drink wines. This is particularly true of their Château Marchand Bellevue 2013 cuvée, which impresses with its deep ruby color and ripe red fruit aromas. This structured yet smooth cuvée pairs perfectly with a charcuterie board or grilled meats. Similarly, Château Marchand Bellevue 2015, an excellent vintage, offers a structured, rounded, and fruity palate that can be enjoyed now or aged for up to three years. This cuvée will beautifully complement a fine piece of beef or a grilled pork fillet.

The Dolmen cuvée, named after the Dolmen present on the property, is a 100% Merlot wine, complex and structured, with a slight, well-integrated oakiness achieved through 20 months of aging in new barrels. Produced from precise plot selection, this cuvée pairs wonderfully with exotic cuisine such as caramelized chicken with ginger and basil. Between these two cuvées, Alain Dufourg is actively working on a new project: a red wine made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 12 to 15 months in oak barrels. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you pass through Targon, you now know where to stop!