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Our Margaux wines |
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| Wine | Vintage | Case size | Price/case | Cases | ||
| Margaux | 2006 | 6×75cl | £1,700 | 1 | 94 |   |
| It is worth noting that when the bottled 2006 Chateau Margaux, which appeared closed and less impressive than I had predicted from barrel, was retasted alongside the remarkable 2008, I elevated my score to 94+. It does not possess the size or power of the 2008 or 2005, but the 2006 exhibits impressive density, a deeper color, and the beautifully textured, pure style that is a hallmark of this estate. Moreover, it is relatively precocious, and can be drunk now or cellared for 25+ years. | ||||||
| Margaux | 2008 | 12×75cl | £3,250 | 1 | 95-97 | |
| This is a superb vintage for Chateau Margaux, and while it may be too early to say this, the 2008 appears superior to the 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001. Only 36% of the crop was utilized and the yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. An exceptionally late harvest for this estate began on October 3 for the Merlot, and finished on October 23. The final blend includes a whoppingly high 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As always, the first characteristic one notices is the extraordinary floral component as well as the sweet black currant fruit allied to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and superb freshness and delineation. In many ways, the 2008 is reminiscent of the 1996, but the former wine is showing even more density and concentration than the 1996 did at the same point in its evolution. The 2008, which appears set for 30-40 years of longevity, is a remarkable effort from this great estate. | ||||||
| Margaux | 2009 | 12×75cl | £6,950 | 3 | 99 | |
| A brilliant offering from the Mentzelopoulos family, once again their gifted manager, Paul Pontallier, has produced an uncommonly concentrated, powerful 2009 Chateau Margaux made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Medocs, the alcohol here is actually lower (a modest 13.3%) than most of its siblings-. Abundant blueberry, cassis and acacia flower as well as hints of charcoal and forest floor aromas that are almost Burgundian in their complexity are followed by a wine displaying sweet, well-integrated tannins as well as a certain ethereal lightness despite the wine-s overall size. Rich, round, generous and unusually approachable for such a young Margaux, this 2009 should drink well for 30-35+ years. | ||||||
| MargauxEP | 2012 | 6×75cl | £1,400 | 4 | 92-94 | |
| This quintessentially finesse-styled Margaux exhibits notes of pure black currants, spring flowers, graphite and forest floor. With supple tannins and medium body, this pretty, stylish effort reminds me of the 2001 or perhaps a modern day, improved version of their 1979. The lovely 2012 should be drinkable in 4-5 years and last for two decades. Only about one-third of the total production made it into the 2012 Chateau Margaux, which is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Like many Medoc first-growths in this vintage, this estate-s aim was to make an elegant, supple-styled 2012 that emphasized the fruit, charm and delicacy of this terroir rather than pushing extraction and going for a powerhouse, which would have been difficult to produce in a vintage like 2012. The natural alcohol is 13%. | ||||||
| MargauxEP | 2012 | 12×75cl | £2,800 | 3 | 92-94 | |
| This quintessentially finesse-styled Margaux exhibits notes of pure black currants, spring flowers, graphite and forest floor. With supple tannins and medium body, this pretty, stylish effort reminds me of the 2001 or perhaps a modern day, improved version of their 1979. The lovely 2012 should be drinkable in 4-5 years and last for two decades. Only about one-third of the total production made it into the 2012 Chateau Margaux, which is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Like many Medoc first-growths in this vintage, this estate-s aim was to make an elegant, supple-styled 2012 that emphasized the fruit, charm and delicacy of this terroir rather than pushing extraction and going for a powerhouse, which would have been difficult to produce in a vintage like 2012. The natural alcohol is 13%. | ||||||
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Château Margaux
A 1er Cru Classe from the 1855 Classification of the Medoc, whose famously grandiose chateau was constructed in 1804 and is today considered perhaps the most remarkable and imposing of all the Medoc chateaux. Chateau Margaux is located in the commune of the same name, which on occasion could lead to some confusion, as both it and generic wine are known commonly as Margaux, nonetheless, the average cost of the former will likely provide sufficient indication.
Viticulture has been an activity here since C16th and the current vineyard composition began to take shape at the beginning of C19th. The chateau changed has seen periods under English ownership following its capture during the Anglo-French wars (C18th) – during which time it was one of the four New French Clarets sold at the emerging London coffee houses – and was nationalised during the French Revolution. Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson, in his famous trip of 1787 singled Margaux out as one of the ‘four vineyards of first quality’.
In the C19th and C20th Chateau Margaux changed hands variously between differing French proprietors and amid hard-pressed times of the 1970’s energy crisis in the West, the French government intervened to prevent its sale to National Distillers, an American conglomerate. In 1977, it was bought by André Mentzelopoulos, a self-made man of Greek origin who had built a retail and finance empire.
A chequered period of ownership during the C19th and C20th meant that, at times, Margaux lacked consistency. However, the Mentzelopoulos family at once instigated a wide-ranging programme of investment, in the vineyard, chai and chateau and commissioned highly-regarded oenologist, Émile Peynaud to oversee it. In December 1980, André Mentzelopoulos died suddenly, leaving the chateau under the direction of his wife Laura and daughter Corinne. The major concern was continuity in quality which took another leap in 1983 when the two were joined by talented winemaker, Paul Pontelier, who took over as the estate’s young new director. Paul Pontelier remains at the helm almost 30 years later and under his stewardship Margaux has built an enviable reputation for its consistency and is frequently touted as the wine of the vintage. Pontelier has placed much emphasis on the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, considering it to be the major agent of class in Margaux wines and as such has steadily increased proportion of it in the Grand Vin; indeed the exceptional 2010 vintage saw its highest proportion yet.
Vineyard & production
Margaux has 82ha./203 acres of vines planted to 75% per cent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, 20 per cent Merlot, and 5 per cent of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Notably of late, a higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon goes into the Grand Vin than its distribution in the vineyard. Approximately 30, 000 cases are produced each year divided between the eponymous Grand Vin, just over 40%, Pavillion Rouge, the chateau’s newly invigorated second wine and, unusually for the Marguax commune, 3, 000 cases or so of a white wine, Pavillon Blanc, made from 12ha. of Sauvignon Blanc and that has itself become overly more ambitious and appealing.
Fermentation takes place in oak vats for all wines and ageing is in 100% new barrels, with the Grand Vin seeing 22 months.
Margaux is all about breed, weight and depth, with the true class of its terroir coming forth in the remarkable consistency, which has become its hallmark. Recent vintages, perhaps above all, have created wines that are particularly perfumed, elegant and richly fruited with exceptional length.
Top-rated vintages
| Vintage
| RP
| JR
| Market price £
| £/Parker Points
|
| 2009
| 98-100
| 19+
| 8900
| 90
|
| 2008
| 95-97
| 16.5
| 5500
| 57
|
| 2005
| 98+
| 19
| 7800
| 79
|
| 2003
| 99
| 18
| 5800
| 322
|
| 2000
| 100
| 18.5+
| 9400
| 507
|
| 1996
| 99
| 17.5
| 6500
| 371
|
| 1995
| 95
| 17.5
| 4695
| 268
|
| 1990
| 100
| 18
| 9200
| 511
|
| 1983
| 96
| 18.5
| 5120
| 277
|
| 1982
| 98
| 18
| 8750
| 486
|
prices as per May 2011.
Margaux continues to hold its own, with robust demand from a new wine public in non-traditional markets., whereas overall, it has at times appeared undervalued vs v its First Growth peers. Meanwhile, the increasing old Cabernet Sauvignon vines, which appear to resist high alcohol levels, are forming an ever-higher percentage of the Grand Vin in seeming confirmation of the chateau’s reputation for consistent elegance. Margaux, is for all reasons, a chateaux to continue to watch.
| 2010
| Total score
| 2009
| Move
|
| 4
| 52
| 8
| +4
|
Liv-ex Power 100 is a list of the top performers over the previous year and their position starting the current year. The indice traces the movement of chateau and other wines using a sophisticated weighting system based on average prices, production, notional availability and Parker Points.
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Release price evolution
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| Vintage
| Ex-negociant €
| London release price £
|
| 2009
| 550
| 8000
|
| 2008
| | 1590
|
| 2007
| 240
| 2450
|
| 2006
| 325
| 2950
|
| 2005
| 410
| 4500
|
Chateau Margaux at a glance
