Description
Le Benjamin de Marojallia, Haut-Médoc
Yes, we imported this tiny parcel directly from Bordeaux. Yes, we’re the only ones in the country offering it. And yes, it’s a polished Left Bank red at a rock-bottom price. But those aren’t the main reasons we’re thrilled to unveil this surprise/secret gem.
Produced by Philippe Porcheron’s Château Marojallia—the first premium “garagiste” winery of Margaux—and consulted by Michel Rolland, who Decanter calls “the world’s best-known winemaker,” this $27 Haut-Médoc is the equivalent of attaching an indie film to some of Hollywood’s biggest names. It’s a deep, fine-tuned, classically proportioned red à la Margaux that tastes far more expensive than it is. As a matter of fact, it’s downright fancy, so grab a case feeling confident that it will class up any joint now and over the next five years. All this, for a stunningly low price—that’s the magnificent power of Left Bank Bordeaux imported directly from the cellar.
Dubbed “The Flying Winemaker,” Michel Rolland’s influence has long reverberated around the world, having consulted at blockbuster châteaux like Léoville Poyferré, Pavie, and L’Evangile in Bordeaux; Harlan Estate, Bryant Family, Araujo, and Quintessa in Napa; Chilé’s Casa Lapostolle; and Super Tuscan Ornellaia—this is hardly an exhaustive list. Still, Bordeaux is home: Rolland was born here, and it’s where he studied enology, too, so he’s always eager to dive into an attractive new project. Enter Marojallia.
Before Philippe Porcheron acquired Château Marojallia in 1998, the estate included just 2.5 hectares of vines that were leased by Second Growth Château Durfort-Vivens. Porcheron ended the contract and quickly turned Marojallia into one of the very first micro-cuvée properties of the Médoc. The estate takes its name from a word coined by the Ancient Romans, who used it to refer to the area of current-day Margaux.
Although some may consider Le Benjamin de Marojallia the third wine of Château Marojallia, Philippe Porcheron does not view it that way: This is its own standalone cuvée, from a small vineyard three miles due west of the Margaux AOC. Just three hectares of vines are utilized, divided between 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. In the cellar back in Margaux (which is just down the street from First Growth Château Margaux), the wines undergo a varietally separate fermentation in stainless steel tanks and mature in ~30% new French barrels before a final blend is produced under the guidance of Rolland. Less than 600 cases were produced.
If you ever wanted to get a snapshot of a polished, graphite-loaded Margaux without dropping serious cash, today’s 2016 Le Benjamin de Marojallia would be an excellent choice—after all, the raw material is sourced from a vineyard just past the outskirts of Margaux! After a 15-minute decant, the wine reveals a deep dark ruby core and spills out attractively lush aromas of black raspberry, cherry liqueur, red plums, candied violets, wet gravel, clove, menthol, and vanilla bean. The palate is sleek and full-bodied with a hardy core of minerals and earthiness that propel the plush berry fruit into a long finish. At five years old, this is in a perfect drinking window and should stay at its peak for the next 2-5 years while developing savory notes. Enjoy!
