Chateau Marojallia Margaux, Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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

Marojallia History, Overview

Marojallia is one of the newer estates in the Medoc as it only dates back to 1998 when the vineyard was purchased by Philippe Porcheron from Roger Rex. At the time of the sale, the vineyard was under a leasing agreement with another grower. The vines were previously used for Chateau Durfort-Vivens. Before that, the vineyard was previously owned by the Ginestet family. However, the name of the property is well-rooted in the history of the Bordeaux region.

It is a known fact that wine from Bordeaux was favored by the ancient Romans. There are numerous remains of their efforts scattered over the Right Bank as well as in the Left Bank. In fact, the ancient Romans coined a word for what we now call the Margaux appellation, Marojallia. The famed Roman poet Ausonius is credited for having come up with the word. To honor him, Chateau Ausone in St. Emilion also took its name from Ausonius.

Marojallia started as one of the few “micro cuvees” Bordeaux producers in the Left Bank. In fact, Marojallia was the first, small, boutique property in the Medoc.

Philippe Porcheron produced the debut vintage of Marojallia in 1999. This was with the help of Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud from Valandraud in Saint Emilion. Murielle Andraud worked with the estate on their 1999 and 2000 vintages. After that date, Michel Rolland was retained as a consultant oenologist.

At the time of the debut release, the property was only 2.5 hectares of vines, most of which were located in Arsac. Since then, Philippe Porcheron has been able to purchase an additional 1.5 hectares of vines.

Because the vineyard was under a lease agreement prior to the purchase by Porcheron, the new owner had to create a new cellar and wine-making facility at the estate.

Due to the unconventional winemaking views of Marojallia, (unconventional for the Medoc is a much more accurate statement), the new owner was initially greeted with doubt by some of his neighbors.

However, the quality of Marojallia is there. All anyone needs to do is taste the wine. But because the production of this Left Bank Bordeaux wine is small and prices are high, it is often difficult to find. In a recent tasting of all the top 2000 wines in 2010, the wine showed well and had ample stuffing to continue to age and evolve.

Marojallia added a hotel, restaurant, and conference facilities to their property. They have good neighbors. The hotel and chateau are located just across the street from Durfort Vivens, which also places them close to Chateau Margaux and Chateau Rauzan Segla.

In March 2023, Chateau Marojallia was purchased by the Seneclauze family that owns the neighboring vineyard, Chateau Marquis de Terme.

Marojallia Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The diminutive 6-hectare Marojallia vineyard is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. This is a big change in the vineyard plantings. Over the years the estate has overseen a large increase in the amount of Cabernet Sauvignon planted here. The vineyard is well placed in the appellation. It is not too far from the village of Margaux. Its closest neighbor is Durfort Vivens.

The vines are on average, 25 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 10,000 vines per hectare. Yields are often tiny at 25 hectoliters per hectare.

To produce the wine of Marojallia, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. The wine of Chateau Marojallia is then aged in 100% new, French oak barrels for between 18 to 24 months before bottling. On average, 1,250 cases of Marojallia are produced per year. There is a second wine, Clos Margalaine.

The best vintages of Marojallia are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2000, and 1999.

Marojallia produces 3 additional wines: Chateau Bouqueyran, from vines they own in the Moulis appellation, and Chateau Rose Sainte Croix from vines they have planted in the neighboring Listrac appellation. Both those wines are interestingly made from the same blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. They make a third wine, Benjamin de Margalaine, which comes from vines planted in the Haut Medoc appellation.

When to Drink Chateau Marojallia, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Marojallia can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 2-3 hours, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Marojallia is usually better with at least 7-8 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Marojallia offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 10-25 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Marojallia, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Marojallia is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Marojallia is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Marojallia is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

www.marojallia.com