Tribute to Paul Pontallier

Paul,
I will always remember the first time I met you 33 years ago. I listened to you in utter amazement as you quietly explained that you had all the necessary qualities to quickly take over the management of Château Margaux…. you were just 27, with no professional experience.
It was this boldness, together with a few impressive degrees, that eventually convinced me. I was, myself, only about 30.
How could we ever have imagined what a personality you would become? I don’t need to refer to your many great qualities for which the large number of messages that we have received at Margaux since the beginning of this week bear witness. However, I would like to add one thing: the vast experience that you always demonstrated, your matter-of-fact wisdom, as if you had lived for 1000 years, as if you had practised 1000 professions. Thanks to you, each problem had a solution, and anyway, for you, there was never any problem.
Over these 33 years, we shared everything, wedding, divorce, remarriage, and the births of our children, without even mentioning our common interests in literature, history and our many journeys to far away places throughout the world. Only our tastes in music were vastly different.
I am glad that last year, spontaneously, without even having thought about it, I told you that you were an exceptional man; I can still hear your usual, modest, reply: “That’s kind of you. You know, I look after Margaux as if I were the owner.” This was your main strength: the love you had for Margaux, a love, a passion that we both shared.
I remember each summer in Greece when you would call me, often, to give me news of our grapes and how everything was going, each vintage promising to be exceptional. Come rain or shine, you always showed the same optimism.
Today all the members of the Margaux team are here, to be with you and to pay you a last tribute. Many of them adored you, including some of our retirees. However I have to rebuke you for one thing: after 33 years, just one reproach. That of having left me, me and all the members of our team; you have abandoned us at the side of the road, crushed with grief and anguish, and with guilt for not having been able to do more for you and to alleviate your suffering.
But we will carry on, and we will get there, because you would have wanted it and because we wish to honour your legacy. You will go down in history as the magician of Château Margaux as did Mr Berlon in the 18th century.
Farewell, Paul, I love you and I admire you.
Corinne Mentzelopoulos, Bordeaux, April 2nd, 2016.