France

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Petit Verdot

Ch. Margaux

Chateau Margaux Premier Cru Classe Margaux

Bordeaux

Margaux

A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Chateau Margaux has a pH of 3.65. This year the first wine is 36% of the total production. It has a deep garnet-purple color and after a swirl or two it shoots from the glass with vibrant scents of blackcurrant jelly, fresh blackberries, and violets, leading to touches of pencil shavings, garrigue, and cloves. The medium-bodied palate is so plush and lively, delivering a quiet intensity of fragrant black fruit, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Full of vivid flavours, colour and aromatics, chiselled, energetic and beautifully balanced. Subtle gunsmoke, grilled cassis bud and saffran alongside fleshy blackberry and pomegranate. Clear austerity on the finish, with waves of cloves and saffran as it extends through the palate. Plenty of harmony here, and potential for ageing. Harvest through to October 14. Philippe Bascaules director, showcasing what can be achieved in the vintage. Eric Boissenot consultant. 100% new oak.

Inside Bordeaux

Such a floral wine, aromatics that really take hold and grip on through the palate, raspberry, black cherry, edges of rosebud, chalk, white tea, crayon, chalk, iris, has real precision, and a slow-burn unspooling of flavours, salted cracker salinity on the finish. 46% of the overall production is in Château Margaux, 30hl/ha yield after sorting through the year as needed. Harvest September 23 to October 8. Philippe Bascaules director, 3.62ph. Excellent quality, one of the wines of the vintage, with a slightly earlier starting date for drinking than usual, eight years following harvest.

Vibrant peony and ruby red colour, this hums with movement and energy through the palate, a complex bloom of lavendar and white rose flowers, fresh and dense at the same time. Classical Margaux, with the savoury quality of the best wines of the year, a ton of fine tannins with a reserved sculpted architecture. The drinkability of this vintage is such a welcome return, and this is exceptionally good quality, and a real pleasure to taste. Superb winemaking from Philippe Bascaules. 41hl/h yield (compared to 25hl/h last year), 41% of the production in this 1st wine.

The 2022 Chateau Margaux, composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It shoots from the glass with an initial firework display of redcurrant jelly, blackberry pie, and fresh, juicy blackcurrants, followed by an array of iron ore, lilacs, black licorice, and sandalwood-inspired scents, plus a hint of wood smoke. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with rich, concentrated, muscular black and red fruits, supported by exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and fragrant. This is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous effort that should be immortal. This represents 40% of the crop. "It's been a long time since this much has made it into the First Wine!" commented winemaker Phillipe Bascaules. The pH is 3.61.

This has grip and poise, it edges forward with slate textured tannins, not givin too much away at first, but sit with it, because the future brilliance of this Margaux is there to be seen if you take your time. It displays a seriousness of intent that sets it apart in expression from vintages like the 2018, and has dense and powerful red and black fruits along with supple and plentiful tannins that have no intention of relinquishing their hold for decades to come. Gingerbread, liqourice root, grilled sandalwood, red peppers, mint leaf and peony flowers add waves of complexity as it widens and softens through the mid palate, along with raspberry puree and edges of patisserie cream. A Margaux for the ages. 100% new oak, 36hl/h yield after the dry summer.

A wine that you sink into, drink in the aromatics before taking a sip. You can sense the velvety texture from the first moment. There is so much density here, and yet each tannin plays its part with skill, holding the perfumed black and blue fruits in place without restricting their expression. A signature Château Margaux, with so many different elements lending momentum and energy, and a feeling of effortless balance. 37% of total production, 100% new oak. Loved En Primeur, but this is an upscore.

Chateau Margaux 2018 is deep garnet-purple in color. It wafts gently out of the glass with notes of Morello cherries, black raspberries, and cassis, plus suggestions of cedar, black olives, and charcoal, with a touch of wood smoke. Medium-bodied, the palate is very refreshing and finely knit with exquisitely ripe tannins and so many delicate layers, finishing with epic length. 

A blend of 89 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Chateau Margaux is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It is still very closed on the nose, giving slow-to-come glimpses and scents of kirsch, black raspberries, and star anise, followed by suggestions of tilled soil, mossy tree bark, and pencil shavings, with a waft of crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate is taut and tightly wound with loads of stunning floral and red berry nuances coming through in the mid-palate, supported by ripe, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and mineral-laced. A head-turner, for sure.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Chateau Margaux is deep garnet-purple in color. It is a real struggle to shake loose the aromas, this is so shut down at the moment. Eventually, notes of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, and blueberry compote begin to emerge, followed by licorice, dark chocolate, cumin seed, truffles, and iron ore suggestions. Full-bodied and full-on rich and seductive, the palate is absolutely crammed with bright, crunchy black fruit layers, framed by astonishingly ripe, finely grained tannins and amazing tension, finishing with a firework display of minerals, flowers, and exotic spices. Sell your car and get a few cases of this - you won't regret it!

Expansive, fleshy raspberry and damson fruits that narrow through the palate as the minerality, slate and crushed rock texture comes to the fore. Expertly put together, showing beautifully at the 10 year point but with a long life ahead, this is exceptional, the definition of soft power. The bottle is engraved with Hommage à Paul Pontallier, as this was the final vintage for Margaux's legendary director (it also marked the opening of the new cellar, although the second vintage for vinifying within it). This was a 100 point for me En Primeur and continues to deliver at the highest level. 100% new oak for ageing.

The 2014 Chateau Margaux is deep garnet-brick in color. Scents of warm cassis, black cherries, and dried mulberries pop from the glass, with hints of iron ore and forest floor plus a waft of candied violets. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant and energetic, with compelling mineral accents and super-ripe, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and fragrant. This is beautiful!

Margaux's signature floral nose is apparant, and this is impressive, has a curl of woodsmoke that really draws you in. Juicy redcurrant and raspberry fruit, balanced, mandarin peel, pomegranate, slate, a tightrope walk of minerality and creamy fruits. Right up there among the best of the vintage. 80% new oak instead of the usual 100%. No Merlot in the blend for the first time, because the two plots that normally go into the 1st wine were not up to their usual standard and so were used in Pavillon Rouge.

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Chateau Margaux opens with notes of new leather, plum preserves, and unsmoked cigars with hints of iron ore, dried herbs, and a medicinal waft. The medium-bodied palate has soft, approachable tannins and a lively line cutting through the savory layers, finishing minerally.

Rød på farge, klar og ren. 
På duft finner vi røde og mørke bør, samt lær. Vinen fremstår som ung og frisk men lett og elegant i kroppen med delikate tanniner. God struktur og ditto lengde. 

Certified Sommelier

The remarkable thing about the tannins of this 2010 Château Margaux is that they feel more plush and velvety than the 2nd wine at this stage - almost more ready to drink. A brilliant wine, dense yet light on its feet, aromatic and seductive, soft leather, cedar, sandalwood, Christmas spice and blackberry notes, with violet notes and a gunsmoke curl. Margaux du Château Margaux was in its second vintage at this point, and by adding this 3rd wine, they tightened up selection across the board even further, with 38% of grapes making their way to the 1st wine. 100% new oak. Paul Pontallier director.

Power and enveloping aromatics from the first moment, this is bursting with pleasure, and so signature Margaux. Impossible not to love the depth and the spice that comes through from the first moment, with spirals of sandalwood, violets, crushed raspberries and cassis. Enticing and generous, and totally delicous. Still young, very much in it primary fruit phase, but you can begin to drink this now, such is the vibrancy of the tannins, but it will deliver for many decades to come. Torreified, smoked coffee bean and campfire notes overtake after half an hour in the glass. 100% new oak. 31% of production win the 1st wine, with the same high level of Cabernet Sauvignon as in 2005. Paul Pontallier director in these years, and this continues to set out a benchmark for the property, as it has every time I have tasted it.

Amateur

2006 was the first vintage Chateau Margaux had 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and so little Merlot, only 4%, together with 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Only the Merlot from the plot in front of the church, which was planted in 1953 on gravel, had the structure to stand up to the Cabernet Sauvignon this year. It has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick and it struts out of the glass with mature notes of cigar box, new leather, and sandalwood, over a core of redcurrant jelly, prunes, and fruitcake, with wafts of iron ore and dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate delivers red berry preserves and ferrous/mineral layers, supported by firm, chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and lifted. There's a distinct salinity to the finish that keeps you wanting more.

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2003 Chateau Margaux has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It springs from the glass with surprisingly spritely notes of blackcurrant jelly, baked plums, and star anise, giving way to an undercurrent of Sichuan pepper, kirsch, unsmoked cigars, cedar, dried roses, and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is completely filled with ripe, expressive black fruits and perfumed floral and exotic spice layers, framed by very firm, sturdy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy. "In 2003 we were tempted to correct, but we didn’t," commented current managing director Philippe Bascaules, who was working with the late managing director Paul Pontallier in 2003. "I think it is better not to help nature but to permit." This 2003 is delicious now, yet it has the stuffing to cellar for another 20+ years.

Amatør

The 2000 Chateau Margaux is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It leaps from the glass with evocative scents of plum preserves, blackberry pie, and redcurrant jelly, leading to wafts of dried lavender, powdered cinnamon, and tobacco leaf, with a hint of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is filled with black fruits and savory accents, with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, leading to a perfectly balanced, lingering perfume of a finish. Graceful, flawless perfection.

The 1999 Chateau Margaux has a medium to deep garnet-brick color. The nose is so perfumed and pretty, featuring fragrant scents of kirsch, raspberry coulis, rose oil, and sandalwood, followed by hints of iron ore and unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate is lively and energetic, delivering red berry and savory flavors, matched by fine-grained tannins and a long, mineral-laced finish.

Owner Corinne Menzelopoulos said of the 1998: 'We came very close to making a great vintage', because the excellent weather was just thrown off course by rain at the beginning of harvest. It might not have the perfection of the 2009 vintage (one of my six 100 point wines given in 2022 tastings), but it's hard to argue with the supple, balanced and effortless pleasure offered by this bottle. Expect white truffle, soy, undergrowth, raspberry leaf, saffron, cassis, turmeric, brambled autumnal fruit and a kick of orange peel giving focus and grip on the finish. 50% of crop in 1st wine. Paul Pontallier technical director, 100% new oak.

Lys rødlilla. Kirsebær, vanilje, jordbær, urter. Litt grønn i smaken. Ferdig nå, men tåler minst 10 år.

WSET 3

82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
Fortsatt rød i fargen med lys vanndig kant, klar og ren. Transparent. 
Lett i kroppen men med stor styrke. Elegant! 
Ren magi på nesen med plummer, kjøttmoreller, lær, lakris, sør tobakk, lett fat med florale noter. 
Flott friskhet og silkete tanniner. Lang, lang, lang. 
Eksepsjonell på alle vis!

Litt blakket på farge. 
På duft finner vi bringebær, jordbær og litt våt ull i tillegg til mørkere bær. Lett og elegant vin med finslipte tanniner og fin syre. Fin lengde. 

Delikat utviklet frukt med hint av treverk, tobakk og plommer. Flott balanse mellom moden frukt, syre og avslipt tanniner 

WSET 2

Ruby red with a brown rim. Delicate nose with violets, mature strawberries, blueberries, leather, spice and violets. Elegant. Fresh acidity. Balanced and nuanced. Mature cherries, licorice, spice and cassis. Complex. Smooth integrated tannins. Very long.

Expert

Medium to deep brick colored, the 1989 Chateau Margaux is a little sluggish and broody to begin, reluctantly releasing notes of cigar box, charcoal, dried herbs, and damp soil, before revealing a core of dried cherries, leather, and prunes. The medium-bodied palate has lightly chewy tannins and a refreshing backbone supporting the savory flavors, finishing provocatively chalky.

1986 - den siste massivt strukturerte årgangen i Bordeaux - sammenlignet med 82, 85, 89 og 90 er også frukten dypere, friskere og mer presis. 75 var strukturert, men mangler ellers det meste. Ch. Margaux 86 kombinerer eleganse og «ryggrad»

Røde og mørke solbær, sedertre, samt noe svale paprika toner. Kork lukten kommer mer og mer. Snikkork. 

Smak av mørke jordbær, og sorte plommer. Tette tanniner, med bra konsentrasjon. 

(MAG)

God vin. Trengte litt tid i karaffel for å åpne seg. Ca 1,5 time. 

A cloud of peonies and gunsmoke immediately strikes as you approach the 1982 Château Margaux, and it stands out for its finesse and charm. The tannins continue to cradle the fruit, this is richly nuanced, with pencil lead, strawberry puree, truffles, ash, cocoa, rose petals and saffran. Owner Corinne Menzelopoulos had succeeded her late father as the head of the estate in 1981, working with estate director Philippe Barré. Perhaps Paul Pontallier's arrival the following year helped to cement the reputation of the exceptional 1983 at Château Margaux, but the 1982 is clearly rivalling it on recent tastings.

Margaux leverer som alltid. Mørk rød, noe brun i kantene og forsatt masse fruktighet å spore. Tanninene har lagt seg noe, men det er fortsatt bra grep og en herlig lengde. Balansen i disse toppvinene er helt nydelig.

Fully mature, a 1st growth is hard to beat. The medium-intense chestnut ruby of the 1978 Chateau Margaux⁠ offers a graceful, classic perfume of graphite, plasticine, smoke, cassis, old leather, and dry raspberries.⁠
⁠
On the palate, it is silky, earthy, and spicy, with mellow, fully integrated mineral-rich tannins refreshed by mineral-rich acidity, creating a long, refreshing, savory finish.This lovely wine is at the peak of its drinking powers, though it might have been even better 5-10 years ago. 93⁠

Fine wine advisor

En bit av historie fra en kritisk årgang. 

Fargen er nesten sort og ugjennomtrengelig. Tidligere viner fra denne tidsperioden har vært rustrøde og brune. Denne så ut som en meget ung vin. 

Duft av mose, friske mørke bær og svak karamell. 

Fløyel på tungen, ok fylde og kort men deilig finish.  

Drukket til hamburgers😎

Fantastisk opplevelse, igjen!!!

Blyantkvess, soldbærbusk, strålende intensitet, medium pluss syre og tannin, solbær fruktprofil, medium pluss konsentrasjon, flott lengde, ikke like kompleks som Haut Brion med en flott klassisk bordeaux med en flott lengde.

Sommelier

Medium to deep garnet-brick, 1964 Chateau Margaux has a fully mature nose verging on the downward swing, revealing notes of tobacco, dusty soil, and old leather, leading to a dried figs and dates scented core, with a waft of Indian spices. The medium-bodied palate is lightly chewy and earthy with dried fruit and stewed tea flavors, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.

The 1953 Chateau Margaux has a deep brick color. It slowly emerges from the glass with delicate, fragrant wafts of cigar box, Chinese five spice, faded flowers, and sassafras, leading to suggestions of dried figs and date cake. The medium-bodied palate is lifted and silky, with flavors of fading dried berries and a lingering, exotic spice-laced finish.

Siste flaske Chateaux Margaux 1928 fra Berns Steakhouses kalde kjeller. En ekstraordinær flaske som viste hvor ungdommelig en 86 år gammel vin kan fremstå fra en toppårgang. Utrolig friskhet, polert og uten kanter, elegant, men likevel med kraft og tyngde. Broadbents "iron fist in velvet glove" har sjelden passet bedre. En sjelden fiolparfymert nese. Søt frukt med bunnløs dybde. Definisjonen av lengde må rekalibreres. Kombinasjonen av en potent tanninstruktur og sømløshet er tankevekkende. Vin blir ikke bedre. 100 poeng. 