Thierry Gardinier, owner of Chateau Phelan Ségur in Saint Estèphe, has sold 22 hectares of his property to neighbour Martin Bouygues of Chateau Montrose.
The properties are located next to each other, but Montrose is a second classified growth, and Phélan Segur a former Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (from the now defunct 2003 classification).
Bouygues has bought plots of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, increasing the Montrose holdings from 67ha to 89ha.
Director Jean Delmas, formerly director of Chateau Haut Brion and now of Chateau Montrose, told decanter.com, ‘The plot that we have bought was once part of Montrose, until the end of 19th century. The terroir is superb, on the top of the Montrose hill, and next year we hope to be able to include it in both our first and second wines.’
Construction billionaire Bouyges has been in the mood for expansion recently, buying several plots of vines from the appellation with his brother Olivier, which have been used to increase the size of his other Saint Estèphe property, Chateau Tronquoy Lalande, taking it up to 30ha.
Speaking about the sale, Thierry Gardinier, owner of Phelan Segur, said: ‘I have no intention of selling any more vineyard land. This is simply a return to the volume I had before expansion in 2002.’
Phélan Segur is now reduced from 90ha to 68ha.
Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux
