Château Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre

In 1946, the estate was purchased by the family of Jean-Pierre Boyer, who has managed it since then. Born in 1933, Boyer is now embarking on his 74th vintage at the age of 91. He owns 50 hectares around Margaux, though only 13 are cultivated, with wine produced from just 5 hectares. Many of the vines are very old, some pre-phylloxeric, and are allowed to grow freely, resulting in low yields. The vineyard once had a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and some Malbec, though exact proportions are no longer tracked.

 

Boyer's winemaking approach is minimalist and natural, rejecting modern Bordeaux practices. There is no sorting table, computerized control, or consulting oenologist, and wines are aged in cement vats or old barrels for 2–3 years until deemed ready. Boyer operates as a "one-man band," creating a highly idiosyncratic wine that stands apart from traditional Bordeaux styles, often likened to a "Rayas of Margaux."