Château Meyney

Château Meyney is one of the oldest estates in the Médoc, with viticultural roots dating to a 1625 bequest by Pierre Forthon. In 1662, Cistercian monks known as the Pères Feuillants established a monastery on the site, which was then known as the Couvent des Feuillants or Prieuré des Couleys. The property remained under the ownership of the Luetkens family for several generations during the 19th century and was a candidate for the 1855 Classification, though the family chose to put forward their other estate, La Tour Carnet, instead. In 1919, it was acquired by Désiré Cordier, whose family managed the estate for much of the 20th century. Since 2004, the estate has been owned by CA Grands Crus, a subsidiary of the French bank Crédit Agricole.

The estate encompasses 51 hectares of vines situated in a single continuous plot in the Saint Estèphe appellation, overlooking the Gironde estuary. This location provides a microclimate that protects against frost while benefiting from Garonne gravel and clay limestone soils. A notable geological feature is a three meter thick layer of blue clay in the subsoil, which is often compared to the terroir of Pomerol and contributes to the distinct texture of the wines. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and an unusually high proportion of Petit Verdot from massal selection vines dating back to the 1950s. Winemaking involves manual harvesting, optical sorting, and fermentation in a mix of stainless steel and concrete vats. The wines are aged for 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, with approximately 30 to 40 percent new wood used each year.

The property is recognized for producing wines characterized by power and longevity, frequently showing a firm structure and deep color. Although Château Meyney was not included in the 1855 Classification, it is widely regarded as performing at a level comparable to its classified neighbors, such as Château Montrose and Château Calon Ségur. The estate formerly held Cru Bourgeois status but withdrew from the official classification in 2008 to maintain greater operational independence. Under the leadership of technical director Anne Le Naour and consulting oenologist Hubert de Boüard, who joined in 2013, the estate has seen a significant rise in its critical standing. It is now frequently cited as a high value choice in the Médoc, prized for its ability to age for several decades.