When the UBB President takes his place in Médoc history

Château du Taillan passes into the hands of Laurent Marti

Laurent Marti’s winning try is no longer being played out solely on the pitch at Chaban-Delmas, but among the vineyard rows of the Médoc. Having made his first move into Pessac-Léognan last March with the acquisition of Château Picque Caillou, the president of Union Bordeaux Bègles has now taken over Château du Taillan, a historic Médoc Cru Bourgeois estate. It is a significant acquisition, and one that stands out in a Bordeaux wine region still grappling with a profound crisis.

From rugby to the vineyard

At the helm of textile group TopTex, the man who has helped propel Gironde rugby to new heights is continuing his expansion on the outskirts of Bordeaux. The setting is impressive: 100 hectares in a single block, encompassing meadows, century-old woodland and 28 hectares of vines, including two hectares planted to white varieties. An 18th-century château, one of the region’s most beautiful terraces and underground cellars listed as historic monuments give Le Taillan a remarkable sense of place. It is this historic estate, in a transaction brokered by Une Villa et des Vignes, that the entrepreneur has now acquired.

Between matriarchal tradition and entrepreneurial vision

Far from being simply a property investment, what makes this acquisition particularly compelling is the meeting of two worlds. On one side is the legacy of the Cruse sisters, a matriarchal tradition that has shaped Le Taillan for decades, modernising the vineyards, adopting sustainable viticultural practices and opening the estate to visitors. On the other is the pragmatism of a Bergerac-born businessman accustomed to ambitious ventures, whether at the helm of an industrial group or leading UBB to the highest level.

The key challenges behind the acquisition

Beyond the symbolism, Marti’s two investments, Picque Caillou in the spring and Le Taillan in the autumn, begin to reveal the UBB president’s strategy in wine. By investing in high-quality terroirs with strong historical identities, he is placing his confidence in the enduring value of Bordeaux’s viticultural heritage.

Several areas of development already await the new team:

• The bold move into white wines: While the Haut-Médoc remains overwhelmingly red-wine country, Le Taillan’s two hectares of white varieties offer an intriguing opportunity for expression, in tune with changing consumer tastes and the challenges posed by a changing climate.

• The development of wine tourism: With almost 10,000 visitors welcomed last year, the estate already has a considerable head start. The ambition is clearly to further develop its offering for seminars and corporate events, an area in which Armelle Cruse’s daughter, Tatiana Giraud, will continue to contribute her expertise.

The transition is taking place smoothly, with Armelle Cruse remaining alongside the new team until 31 October. It remains to be seen how the new owner will channel this fresh momentum into such a historic estate. We wish them a wonderful and fruitful first harvest !