Choose Wisely: Château Sérilhan 2008–2017
BY NEAL MARTIN |
Bordeaux is often criticized for charging a king’s ransom for its top wines. In reality, it is a vast cradle of quality that can offer unbeatable value, depending on how far you are willing to venture beyond the famous names. Some of the price tags dangling from ordinary Burgundy Villages reinforce the argument that wine lovers get much more bang for their buck in Bordeaux than in the Côte d’Or. However, the plethora of châteaux means that consumers can easily become overwhelmed, which is why it is important to shine the spotlight on top performers from lesser-known names, away from the Grand Cru Classés.
Sérilhan is a Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois Supérieur that has consistently furnished Bordeaux lovers with superb wines, particularly in recent years. Proprietor Didier Marcelis enjoyed a successful career at Cisco Systems before the lure of winemaking persuaded him back to the family estate in 2003. “In fact, it was more a case of finishing my previous career with Cisco Systems from 1997 to 2002, having worked successively at IBM from 1984 to 1992 and then at Fujitsu from 1993 to 1996,” Marcelis told me. “So, at the beginning of 2003, I had 20 years of international experience as a sales and marketing executive. At 45, I felt the need to find a more sedentary job, closer to my roots, one that would allow me to be my own boss within the framework of a family structure.” Without winemaking experience, he rolled up his sleeves and completed a course run by the CIVB.
Proprietor of Sérilhan, Didier Marcelis.
Bordeaux is often criticized for charging a king’s ransom for its top wines. In reality, it is a vast cradle of quality that can offer unbeatable value, depending on how far you are willing to venture beyond the famous names. Some of the price tags dangling from ordinary Burgundy Villages reinforce the argument that wine lovers get much more bang for their buck in Bordeaux than in the Côte d’Or. However, the plethora of châteaux means that consumers can easily become overwhelmed, which is why it is important to shine the spotlight on top performers from lesser-known names, away from the Grand Cru Classés.
