The 2011 Château Desmirail, a third-growth in Margaux, presents an elegant blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It offers a fragrant nose of floral notes with a citric edge, complemented by a lean, intense structure and a fine attack. The fruit is more subdued but carries an appealing tension, with a harmonious, persistent finish. This wine, reflecting the exceptional Margaux terroir, is crafted with modern techniques while respecting tradition. It can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve with age. Drink through 2042 for optimal enjoyment.

Decanter | D 90
Published: Feb 19, 2021
Drink: 2021-2042

Elegant floral notes with a citric edge. Lean and intense, with a fine attack and considerable poise. The fruit is subdued but it has an appealing raciness and tension; a harmonious wine with style and persistence.

Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol: 13.00%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon 40% Merlot

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 16.5
Published: Oct 30, 2013
Drink: 2014-2024

Rich fruit cake and sweet spice on the nose and palate. Emphasises perfume – admirably typical of the terroir, albeit with lighter body than many.

Desmirail.com

Desmirail, a third growth in the 1855 classification, is the fruit of an exceptional terroir in the Margaux appellation, which it represents perfectly with its wonderful elegance and finesse.
Its vinification is carried out using modern techniques and equipment, combined with a respect for tradition, resulting in a wine that can be enjoyed in its youth, but which also has a tremendous capacity to improve with age.
Château Desmirail is the product of strict selection and carefully adapted maturing.

Vintage 2011
An early vintage with the first leaves appearing at the beginning of April.
Fine weather was predominant with some irregularities in June: a little hail early in the month and some scorching hot days at the end.
A few showers arrived in July at just the right time to refresh the vines, which were suffering from the lack of water. 
September started with a dampness that that was much appreciated by mushroom pickers…
The Merlot harvest began on 13 September, Saint Aimée's day. The harvests continued, with various breaks, until 28 September, with a predominance of fine, sunny days, accompanied by cool nights. The Cabernets, having kept us waiting like divas, were very promising.
The harvests ended on the eve of St Michael's day (the patron saint of coopers), which was the day that the harvests begun in 2010.
Another beautifully made vintage. And this year there can be no doubt that the element of human choice was more significant, both in terms of when the grapes were picked (to be as close as possible to the ideal ripeness), and in the approach taken during vinification and
maceration.

HARVEST: From September 13th to 28th, 2011
BOTTLING: 5th of June 2013
DEGREE: 13%
BLEND: Cabernet Sauvignon : 60% Merlot : 40%
CONSULTANT: Jacques Boissenot