Few decisions are as important in the life of a wine as the blending, or more exactly the blendings, since three wines are brought into the world : Château Margaux, for many years now its label has described it as « first » (premier) or « great » (grand) wine, in comparison with Pavillon Rouge of Château Margaux, which is our second wine ; then a third one, whose sole vocation is to improve the other two. The blending then is first of all a process of selection. However, as its French translation (assemblage) suggests, it is also a process of building and composition, during which several individual elements join together to make a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. For us, we really feel that a new being is being delivered into the world.

We are of course thinking of this from the first day on, when towards the end of the harvesting, we begin tasting the results of the vinifications of each carefully separated plot.

The terroir expresses its magic so quickly that even by the end of the alcoholic fermentation, we could almost decide there and then to blend the best vats and compose the first wine. But that would be doing things too quickly, as some vats only display their real value at a later date.

A few weeks pass, and the running off begins, next the malo-lactic fermentation gets underway, and then the wine is racked into barrels.

Finally, the time to blend arrives.

Two or sometimes three great tastings are organised in January, when we gather around a long table lined with samples.

The atmosphere is a little formal, or rather, slightly solemn. The rich fruit of the Merlot is delicious, the Cabernets are delicate and smooth, the Petit Verdot powerful but a little rustic.

Then we feel the thrill of discovering the finesse coming through the slightly severe tannins or the balance which didn't seem to be there behind the hitherto raw power.

Little by little, the blendings for the first wine, then the second, and the third, are composed and fine-tuned. Are we already a little drunk with the pride of those who create works of art?

Oh no, we know too well that nature is the creator.

Perhaps though, we are just a little drunk with the joy of having helped a little or just having been there when it needed us.