Château Magdelaine 1979 - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Château Magdelaine 1979: The Lost Elegance of a Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Estate Presentation: The Historic Jewel of the Moueix Family

Château Magdelaine (Premier Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion) is an absolute icon of the Right Bank. Acquired in 1952 by Jean-Pierre Moueix (also owner of the mythical Petrus in Pomerol), this exceptional terroir is located on the edge of the limestone plateau, bordering the plots of Château Ausone and Château Canon. Renowned for its deeply traditional, refined, and poetic style, Magdelaine built its legend on finesse. It is a rare collector's item: in 2012, the Moueix family decided to cease independent production of the estate to merge its vineyard with Château Belair-Monange. Each preserved bottle is now a living archive of the Bordeaux vineyard.

Description of the 1979 Vintage: The Grace of Mature Minerality

The 1979 vintage is one of Bordeaux's years of great balance and freshness. Crafted with an overwhelming majority of Merlot grown on asteroid limestone, this 1979 Magdelaine has endured through the decades thanks to the natural tension of its terroir. Far from massive extractions, this wine expresses the quintessence of the Moueix style: a delicate, silky, and ethereal texture. After more than 45 years of aging, it reveals a captivating aromatic nobility, reminiscent of the finesse of the greatest fully developed Burgundian Pinot Noirs.

Bottle Condition: An Authentic Presentation

From a connoisseur's cellar with ideal humidity, this vintage bottle boasts remarkable overall integrity for a 1979 wine.

• Liquid level: Excellent (low neck, perfectly stable and preserved level in the neck).
• Cork: Intact, solid, never moved and guaranteeing perfect sealing.
• Color: Splendid evolved garnet red with slight brick-red reflections, brilliant and clear.
• Label: Very good, slightly patinated and very discreetly stained by time in the cellar, but perfectly clean and legible.
• Capsule / Foil: In perfect original condition, airtight and carefully sealed.
• Overall impression: A rare, sound collector's bottle, ready for a sophisticated tasting by informed connoisseurs.

Aromatic Profile and Food Pairings

On the nose, the wine opens with a tertiary bouquet of great subtlety: dried sour cherry, rose potpourri, black truffle, damp undergrowth, Russian leather, graphite, and a touch of licorice. On the palate, the attack is fluid, silky, and refreshing. The structure is fine, supported by completely melted tannins and a chalky (limestone) mineral imprint that extends the finish with delicate notes of bitter cocoa and sweet spices. Purchase this historic bottle to celebrate a 1979 birthday or to accompany roasted pigeon with truffles, pan-fried sweetbreads, or duck breast with cranberries.