Chateau de Gironville Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau de Gironville Haut Medoc with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux:Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau de Gironville History, Overview

The creation of Chateau de Gironville dates back to the very late 1800s. At the time of its creation, it was a large 155-hectare estate with 35 hectares of vines. The vineyard is located in the commune of Macau in the Haut Medoc appellation, not far from the southern tip of Margaux.

In the estate’s formative years, the property was owned by Mr. Duffour-Dubergier who also owned Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. During the early 1900s, the vineyard belonged to the mayor of Bordeaux. In the late 1920s, at the height of the great depression, the estate fell into a state of disrepair.

In fact, most of the vines were removed in 1929, so other trees and crops would be more profitable than making wine.

1987 marked the rebirth of Chateau de Gironville which took place when it was purchased and renovated by the Mercier brothers, and Remy Fouin. The Mercier brothers and Remy Fouin planted the vineyard and returned Chateau de Gironville to a working vineyard and chateau.

Chateau de Gironville was purchased by Vincent Mulliez in 2004 from the Mercier family. Mulliez who earned his fortune while working at JP Morgan investments in London renovated the estate and the vineyards after buying the property. At the time, Vincent Mulliez also purchased Chateau Belle-Vue, which is also located in the Haut Medic appellation, and the well-known Bordeaux Superieur property, Chateau Bolaire.

Sadly, Vincent Mulliez passed away at the age of 44 in 2010. Making his early death even worse was the fact that his efforts began paying off by that point in time as 2009 and 2010 were the best vintages Chateau de Gironville had produced yet. The good news for fans of the estate is, that 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 are even better!

In November 2021, Chateau de Gironville was sold to the massive wine conglomerate, Treasury Wine Estates which owns various vineyards in Napa Valley and Australia, most prominently Penfolds. This is not their only purchase in Bordeaux, as they also own Chateau Cambon La Pelouse and Chateau Belle-Vue in the Haut-Medoc appellation and Chateau Bolaire, Bordeaux Superieur. Less than one year later, in August 2022, Treasury Estates added to their holdings in Bordeaux with the purchase of Chateau Lanessan.

Chateau de Gironville Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 10-hectare, Left Bank vineyard of Chateau de Gironville is planted to 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. The vines are on average 28 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density similar to what you would find in the Right Bank at 6,600 vines per hectare. The terroir is mostly gravel-based soil.

The best vintages of Chateau de Gironville are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010 and 2009 and 2005.

The wine of Chateau de Gironville is vinified in stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wine is aged in 25% new, French oak barrels for 12-14 months. The production of Chateau de Gironville is on average close to 5,000 cases per vintage.

When to Drink Chateau de Gironville, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau de Gironville can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau de Gironville is usually better with at least 3-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau de Gironville offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-10 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau de Gironville with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau de Gironville is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau de Gironville is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau de Gironville is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

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