Branaire-Ducru’s Patrick Maroteaux dies

Patrick Maroteaux, owner of Bordeaux fourth-growth estate Château Branaire-Ducru, has died after a long battle with cancer.

Patrick Maroteaux of Branaire-Ducru. Photo credit: Terre de Vins

As reported by Wine Spectator, Maroteaux passed away on Sunday. He was 67. “He will really be missed in Bordeaux.

“He was always a source of strength and wisdom and vision. He really thought about how to help the entire region,” Sylvie Cazes, owner of Château Chauvin, told Wine Spectator.

Born in northern France, Maroteaux’s family acquired St-Julien château Branaire-Ducru in 1988. He took the reins there after stints in finance and the sugar industry.

With Maroteaux at the helm, the estate, which was founded in 1824 and was once part of Beychevelle, enjoyed a renaissance.

Maroteaux revived both the vineyards and the cellars and implemented gravity-led vinification.

Another smart move was hiring young technical director Philippe Dhalluin prior to his 2002 move to Château Mouton-Rothschild, and launching a second wine from younger vines – Duluc de Branaire-Ducru.

In 2000, Maroteaux became the president of the 135-member Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux and established the popular Week-End des Grands Crus in Bordeaux during his tenure as president between 2000 and 2008.

“Patrick was admired for his dynamism, open-mindedness, and respect for our values. He was a tireless traveller,” Olivier Bernard, the current UGC president and owner of Domaine de Chevalier, told Wine Spectator.

Maroteaux is survived by his wife, Evelyne, and his children Anne-Laure, Pierre-Henry, Sophie, and François-Xavier, who runs the estate.

Château Branaire-Ducru boasts 50 hectares of vines, mainly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon but also Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The estate produces around 15,000 cases of its grand vin each year.