Bernard Magrez gets a lot of stick in Bordeaux. He’s a tough businessman that started with not a lot as a 20-odd year old in the wine game in Bordeaux, and now owns over 40 estates across the globe. You can’t do that without putting a few noses out of joint, but I think we can all admit, that’s not bad, right?
I was lucky enough to be a guest of his a couple of years back for a week in Bordeaux, stating at his St Emilion estate, Château Fombrauge, and visiting and feasting at his left bank properties Château Pape Clement and Château La Tour Carnet.
I spent my time with his team, who see working for Bernard as an absolute education at the sharp end of the wine trade. Famously always suited and booted, the staff dress code demands ties at all times, even in airport lounges. It’s a tough gig working for Bernard, but he brings steel to any project he goes for, and his record of buying, renovating, and successfully running estates across Bordeaux, Europe, and the World proves that.
So with yesterday’s announcement that he’s buying Château Le Sartre in Pessac-Léognan it brings this Cháteau to all our attentions. An area of particular interest for me, I’m looking forward to tasting my way through the next few vintages.
Good luck to the Magrez team, see you soon boys and girls
Cheers