Château Margaux is situated in Haut-Médoc on the right side of the so-called "Route de Vin." When you're about to leave Margaux village, you must walk approximately 1 km to reach the cellars of the property. Vines grow in soil, with the upper layer containing gravelly material composed of quartz and silica stones, and a subsoil consisting of a fine-grained mixture of clay and sand. The grape varieties used are Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Merlot (25%), and a blend of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (5%). Vines are, on average, 35 years old, and the wine is vinified in wooden vats. The wine matures for 18-24 months in 100 % new oak.
Château Margaux offers wine lovers a wonderful blend of race, elegance, and finesse, complemented by one of Bordeaux's most captivating aromas. It is like seeing a ballet dancer make pirouettes with grace and style. This property features light subsoil, lending finesse and a refined character to the Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes with backbone, depth, and body. It also offers remarkable structure, nuance, richness, and stunning length. A true Queen of Bordeaux!
Sadly, the true gentleman and sophisticated winemaker, Paul Pontallier, who had managed Château Margaux since 1988, passed away unexpectedly at the end of March 2016, just before the primeur tastings of the 2015 vintage.
Since 2017, Philippe Bascaules has served as the managing director.
Subdued light, great atmosphere, and late Paul Pontallier pouring vintages 2010, 2009, and 2008 in September 2011
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Two important people now at Chateau Margaux - managing director Philippe Bascaules (right) and property manager Sébastien Vergne (left) - October 2017
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2023 Ch. Margaux (barrel sample) 99p
Tasted in April 2024. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. 13% alcohol. Only 41% of the harvest was allocated to Grand Vin. It is a valid candidate to be the wine of the vintage! It is an immensely sophisticated and elegant wine, full of grace and finesse, with fabulous complexity and a rich mid-palate. The aftertaste lasts more than one minute. This wine will surely give the 2022 version a run for its money!!
2022 Ch. Margaux (barrel sample) 98-100p
Tasted in April 2023. 92% C. Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% C. Franc. No P. Verdot in the blend this time. 13.1% alcohol. C. Sauvignon berries in 2022 were 35% smaller than in an average year. Only 40 % of the harvest went into Grand Vin. Plenty of concentrated blackcurrants and a strong aroma of tobacco leaves, graphite, and violets exist. The wine was precise, focused, and vibrant, with exceptional complexity, great elegance, and a sophisticated touch. Monumental finish. A giant moving like a ballerina!
2021 Ch. Margaux (barrel sample) 97-98p
Tasted in April 2022. 87% C. Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% C. Franc and 2% P. Verdot. 13.1% alcohol. Only 36 % of the harvest went into Grand Vin. Philippe Bascaules, Margaux's technical director, informed me that in the 2021 vintage, acidity and tannin felt more intense than in the stunning trio of recent vintages. There is nothing to complain about, as this property produced one of the best wines in 2021. It was very flowery, with violets and peonies, and displayed the aromas of tobacco leaves, graphite, and the scent of black winter truffles. Precise, focused, vibrant, with great complexity and elegance, sophisticated. Long and persistent finish.
2020 Ch. Margaux (barrel sample) 99-100p
Tasted twice - last time in November 2021. Consistent notes. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. 14% alcohol. Only 36% of the harvest was allocated to Grand Vin. I was incredibly impressed with the pure elegance, finesse, extraordinary length, and astonishing richness and complexity. Classy aristocrat, no less. Amazing stuff.
2019 Ch. Margaux (barrel sample) 99-100p
Tasted in June 2020. Only 37% of the whole production went into Grand Vin. The wine is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, and has an alcohol by volume of 13.9%. Ch. Margaux's managing director, Philippe Bascaules, told me in a Zoom interview that Merlot required gentle vinification due to its voluptuousness and high alcohol content. He compared the 2018 and 2019 Grand Vin - "when I taste 2018 Ch. Margaux, I taste the 2018 vintage first, then Ch. Margaux. When I taste 2019 Ch. Margaux, it's Ch. Margaux first, then 2019 vintage!"
It showcases Cabernet Sauvignon with beautiful aromas of cigar box and tobacco leaves. It is exquisite, multifaceted, sophisticated, and stylish for the property. It has exceptional complexity and purity. It is liquid silk. True perfection is here!
2018 Ch. Margaux 99-100p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2021. Consistent notes. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. 14% alcohol. Now in the bottle, as stunning as it was from the barrel. I was significantly impressed with an incredibly scented nose, a sophisticated and refined touch, astonishing complexity, and length. Simply a proper "iron fist in the velvet glove"! Amazing stuff
2017 Ch. Margaux (barrel sample) 97p
I tasted it twice, last in April 2018. Consistent notes. bernet Franc, + 1% Petit Verdot.This wine was sophisticated and pure, elegant with finesse, precise, and rich. It's a bit less intense and concentrated than in 2016, but it's still of spectacular quality.
2016 Ch. Margaux 98p
Tasted three times - last time in November 2021. Consistent notes. It didn't reach the heights of 2015's otherworldly quality, but still had a genuine spark of blue and blackberries, a seamless structure, and a sophisticated touch. Pure elegance and finesse are here! This was in October 2017. When tasted at the property from the bottle in November 2021, it was even better, yet another classic for the property, with mind-boggling purity, sheer elegance, and a flowing mid-palate. Liquid silk. A lingering aftertaste that wouldn't go away!
2015 Ch. Margaux100p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2017. Consistent notes. Grand Vin accounts for 38% of the total crop and is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. All in silk, epic wine. Exceptional concentration, richness, complexity, and a super-strong backbone, with elegance and sophistication, perfectly balanced, incredibly aromatic, and an extraordinary finish. A great, great testimony/homage to Paul Pontallier!
2014 Ch. Margaux 96p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2018. Consistent notes. There is a lot of freshness, with strong, oaky notes and splendid depth, accompanied by a peppery palate and a long aftertaste. A more masculine wine from this property, thanks to perfectly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon.
2013 Ch. Margaux(barrel sample) 93p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2014. Consistent notes. This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and was lighter than usual, with smooth, silky tannins, soft fruit, and a polished texture. Usually, Grand Vin contains Merlot, but the winemaking staff valued the Merlot parcel as not having quality worth including in Grand Vin. Instead, it went into Pavillon Rouge. So my rating is more based on reputation than appearance because Margaux puts weight on the bottle.
2012 Ch. Margaux 95-96p
Tasted three times - last time in May 2018. Consistent notes. 87% C. Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% C.Franc and 1% P. Verdot. This wine had a very aromatic and intense nose of black cherries, was lush and seductive on the palate, had a refined, velvety texture, was rich, and had a long finish due to its barrel aging. In November 2015, this wine was even better, irresistible with chocolate and cocoa, boasting a fabulous nose and a classy, silky texture. In the top two of 1. Growth in this vintage. I had the same impression in May 2018 as in November 2015. Irresistible!
2011 Ch. Margaux (barrel sample) 95-96p
Tasted in April 2012. This wine offered elegance, finesse, and refinement to a very high degree, velvety black cherry fruit and fat tannin, and a long, caressing finish. Once again, it is the essence of class and style.
2010 Ch. Margaux(barrel sample) 98-100p
I tasted it twice, the last time in September 2011. Consistent notes. It boasts great elegance and class, with stunning depth and structure, velvety sweet cherries, excellent balance, great depth, and an extremely long and lingering aftertaste. It's heavenly stuff.
2009 Ch. Margaux 100p
Tasted three times - last time in January 2017. Consistent notes. What a jaw-dropping wine! My friend told me this wine stole his heart, but it also took mine. Great, penetrating, and intense nose of black cherries and grated Valrhona chocolate. Paul Pontalier said that the nose of this wine reminded him of 1953 Margaux, and I couldn't agree more! I did taste this wine in 1990, and its fragrance was sensational. Back to 2009: a remarkable distinction, seamless and sophisticated, extremely long with many layers and a lingering velvety aftertaste. Flamboyant and breathless wine. Five and a half years later, since the last tasting of this wine in January 2017, it remains a true paradise, an eternal flame. Possibly the best 1.Growth in this vintage.
2008 Ch. Margaux 97p
Tasted three times - last time in September 2011. Consistent notes. I owned a few bottles of this wine and was curious to see how it fared. It began with great scents of cherries, freshness, a seamless structure, and notable minerality. It may not be as flashy as it was in 2009, but it remains a stylish and classy wine with a great personality. Wonderfully balanced and with excellent acidity. After tasting it, I've every reason to jump with joy, having purchased this wine primeur at one-fifth the price of the 2009 vintage or one-seventh the cost of the 2010 vintage.
2007 Ch. Margaux92p
I tasted it four times, the last time in October 2009. Consistent notes. This wine was as pretty and light on feet as a slim and young ballerina. It had beautiful aromas of violets and roses, with an enchanting elegance and finesse. It was seductive like h... and still improving. At least 15 more years are needed to cellar this wine.
2006 Ch. Margaux 98p
I tasted it four times, the last time in October 2009. Consistent notes. It impressed me with the high intensity of flavors, power, refinement, and sophisticated touch. It's a great, great classic wine for the property. Paul Pontalier adored this vintage. This wine is a long-term runner. There will be significant fireworks in 20-30 years.
2005 Ch. Margaux 99p
Tasted three times - last time in October 2015. Consistent notes. This wine was like an eternal flame, pure poetry radiating and shining. This vintage at Château Margaux has incredible charisma, style, elegance, depth, and length. Seamless winemaking - nothing could go wrong with the extravagantly ripe and rich grapes that Mother Nature provided to Bordeaux in 2005! Angels sing and sing and sing, and so on, for the next 30-50 years. It was closed in October 2015.
2004 Ch. Margaux 95p
Tasted three times - last time in July 2024. Consistent notes. 78% C. Sauvignon + 18% Merlot + 2% P. Verdot/C.Franc. This wine has become another classic - perfectly ripe fruit, stunning richness, exquisite finesse, and fleshy, long finish. Wonderful stuff. 1/3 or more of the price for 2005 and 2006. 20-25 years horizontally in the cellar. It has held up well since I first tasted it in October 2008.
2002 Ch. Margaux 93p
I tasted it twice, the last time in October 2008. This wine was served during harvest lunch at Château Margaux. It was a terrific effort for the vintage, characterized by well-known elegance and finesse, a round, feminine, and pure style, with excellent intensity. It has been delightful already, but I can keep it for 10-15 more years.
2001 Ch. Margaux 99-100p
Tasted in November 2021. It was a glorious experience to taste such a beautiful wine! It had a perfectly aromatic nose of ripe blackcurrants and black cherries, with notes of black truffle. The palate was characterized by lush berries and grainy tannin, a seamless structure, and a liquid cashmere texture. It also featured a stunning mid-palate, complexity, and a long, satisfying finish. I'm thrilled to have a couple of bottles of this beauty in my cellar!
1996 Ch. Margaux 98p
Tasted in May 2018. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 100% new oak. An iron fist in the velvet glove. Tobacco leaves and grilled bacon. Remarkable intensity, richness, complexity, and length. Creamy and long aftertaste. Awesome effort!
1995 Ch. Margaux 93p
Tasted in May 2018. A dense aroma of strawberries, with fine acidity, length, depth, and structure. This vintage had mixed results on Left Bank, and Margaux reflects that as an excellent wine but not up to the 1996 vintage.
1986 Ch. Margaux 97-98p
Tasted in April 1989. Black-red color. Cabernet Sauvignon is fully blossoming here; this wine is dense, robust, and intense, revealing enormous potential. Wait and see!
1985 Ch. Margaux 88p
Tasted three times - last time in November 2015. Consistent notes. It had been tasted on three occasions (2015) and with the same TNs - light and a bit anonymous, round, charming, and balanced.
1961 Ch. Margaux 96p
I tasted it four times, the last time in February 1991. It is complex and intense, with immense depth, supporting tannin, and lush fruit. It has superb balance, elegance, and finesse. It's a truly great wine!
1959 Ch. Margaux 90p
Tasted in October 1994. Deep red. Mature nose with much sweetness. Charming, elegant, and long. Smooth and graceful on the aftertaste. Delightful wine.
1953 Ch. Margaux 100p
Tasted in December 1990. Fantastic nose of truffles and cherries. Incredible finesse, elegance, and sophisticated charisma. It's a perfect wine; old Bordeaux shows how it can seduce wine lovers. Wow!
1947 Ch. Margaux 96p
I tasted it in April 1989. It has a very intense and refined nose of raspberry drops. Delicate and delicious on the palate, it is an incredibly complex and captivating wine—breathtaking stuff.
1945 Ch. Margaux 94p
Tasted in May 2020. Salty (oysters) on the nose, elegant and sophisticated, refined and sumptuous in length. Still having fun, and it makes wine tasters happier.
1929 Ch. Margaux 99p
Tasted in July 2024. Chateau bottled. It is a perfect wine with all the elegance, finesse, and sophistication you would desire. It's timeless and seamless, and it's a true meditation wine!!
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2023 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 94p
Tasted in April 2024. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. 14.1% alcohol. There is more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend and less Merlot than in 2022. One could expect a powerful and tight wine, but it is not. It follows the vintage's pattern with tenderness, elegance, and finesse. Fine acidity, mid-palate, and complexity make this a splendid wine.
2023 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 95p
I tasted it in April 2024. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. There is an excellent intensity of green apple, acacia, and pineapple aromas. The palate is remarkable for its acidity, vibrancy, tension, and complexity. The lingering finish has a hint of lemon. Impressive for the vintage.
2022 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 94+p
Tasted in April 2023. 64% C. Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% C. Franc and 7% P. Verdot. 14.8% alcohol. 25 hl/ha. Powerful, with a strong backbone, and very concentrated, featuring intense black fruit. Thick, textured, vibrant, and with excellent mid-palate. Long, meaty aftertaste. Masculine wine with grace and elegance. Excellent effort.
2022 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 94p
I tasted it in April 2023. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The crisp intensity of green apples, citrus, and lemongrass is well-matched with great minerality and acidity. It is vibrant with tension and complexity. Impressive effort.
2021 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 93p
Tasted in April 2022. 73% C.Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% C. Franc and 5% P. Verdot. 13.1% alcohol. Fresh, flavorful red fruit, with a sappy, velvety texture and silky tannins, complemented by tasteful notes of redcurrants and raspberries. Delicate mid-palate and lingering aftertaste. Superb effort.
2021 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 94p
Tasted in April 2022. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The crisp intensity of green apples, citrus, and lemongrass well matched a remarkable minerality and acidity. Vibrant with tension and complexity. Impressive effort.
2020 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 94+p
Tasted twice - last time in November 2021. Consistent notes. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. 13.6 alcohol. Fragrant and creamy blackcurrants are covered with grated chocolate, offering great intensity and balance, with finely grained tannins, bright acidity, and a long, lush finish. A touch of aristocratic style might be the best vintage produced yet here.
2019 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 94p
Tasted in June 2020. Only 27% of the whole production. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 14.2% alcohol. It displays a very intense aroma of black cherries on the nose, very distinctive, deep, and noble, with silky berries and grainy tannin. The acidity keeps the whole thing fresh. Sophisticated, with a long and lingering aftertaste. It's as excellent as 2018 but more typical for the property.
2018 Pavillon Rouge 94p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2021. Consistent notes. 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot. It was potent and robust, with excellent structure and backbone, creamy blackcurrants, fat tannins, and a long, lush finish. This is the best vintage of this wine I've tasted yet.
2018 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 94p
I tasted it in April 2019. It was crisp and creamy, with fresh pineapple and green apple flavors, splendid acidity, and a hint of complexity. It was a lovely effort.
2017 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 92p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2018. Consistent notes. This barrel sample showed freshness, aromatic fruit, and elegance. Silky tannin and smooth finish. Very adorable.
2017 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 94p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2018. Consistent notes. It displayed great aromas, acidity, and complexity, as well as freshness, crispness, and a long, fruity finish. Excellent effort.
2016 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 93p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2017. Consistent notes. It impressed me greatly with its excellent aromatic nose of black fruit, dense structure, splendid complexity, silky fruit and tannin, splendid concentration, and length.
2016 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 93p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2017. Consistent notes. It showed freshness, excellent acidity, and subtle complexity. Unique structure and length.
2015 Pavillon Rouge 93-94p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2017. Consistent notes. It represents 23% of the total crop and is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. It's one of the best wines ever produced at the property. High concentration, intensity, solid backbone, plenty of silky fruit and tannin, excellent acidity, and stunning finish.
2015 Pavillon Blanc 94+p
I tasted it three times, the last time in May 2018. Consistent notes. Small yield, only 20 hl/ha, 100% Sauvignon Blanc, reached 14% in alcohol (perfect ripeness). The 2015 vintage is the first one with organic treatment in the vineyard. Aromatic and fresh, with a distinct scent of acacia and grapefruit, this wine is rich, refined, and boasts excellent acidity. It had an awesomely long finish. Best Pavillon Blanc yet for me.
2014 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 91-92p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2015. Consistent notes. A meaty and robust wine with delicious bite and grip, nice acidity, structure, and complexity. Firm aftertaste.
2013 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 88p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2014. Consistent notes. This wine (84% C. Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% P. Verdot, and 2% C. Franc) showed light texture, soft fruit, pleasant sweetness, and ripe tannin. Fine balance and delicate fruity aftertaste.
2012 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 91p
Tasted in April 2013. (34% of the whole production) displayed cherry nose, fresh, seductive, and silky fruit. Soft texture and fine, fruity finish. Fine balance. Well-made.
2012 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 92p
Tasted in April 2013. The yield was at 29 hl/ha, and only 30% of the harvest became PBdM. It had intense flavors of apples and acacia flower, splendid acidity and minerality, freshness, precise fruit, and a long finish. Fine effort.
2011 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 91-92p
Tasted in April 2012. Produced from a rigorous selection of grapes, resulting in a 40% reduction in quantity compared to 2010. Velvety texture with silky fruit and tannin. Finesse and long, smooth aftertaste.
2011 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 94+p
Tasted in April 2012. This wine was utterly impressive. This wine displayed intense apples, excellent acidity and minerality, freshness, precise fruit, and a long finish.
2010 Pavillon Rouge 93-94p
Tasted twice - last time in May 2018. Consistent notes. Probably the best wine from this property - a powerful wine with very aromatic, ripe dark cherries, chocolate, and rich, ripe tannins. Well-knitted, harmonious, and with a long, lingering aftertaste. Exceptional effort.
2010 Pavillon Blanc 93-94p
I tasted it in April 2011. It impressed me greatly with its intensely flavored pineapple and grapefruit, excellent acidity and minerality, freshness, precise fruit, and a long-lasting aftertaste.
2009 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 90-92p
Tasted in April 2010. Silky, sublime, with excellent concentration, subtle and refined, possessing great finesse and elegance.
2009 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 93p
Tasted in April 2010. This wine was imposing. Very intense aromas of acacia flowers, apple tart, excellent acidity and minerality, freshness, and a very aromatic and accessible profile.
2008 Pavillon Rouge (barrel sample) 90-92p
Tasted in March 2009. It contained a whopping 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and impressed greatly. Ripe, smooth, with a lovely balance, pleasant fruit sweetness, and a delightful soft finish.
2008 Pavillon Blanc (barrel sample) 93-95p
Tasted in March 2009. This wine was stunningly impressive, with intense notes of acacia flower, citrus, and mango, complemented by high acidity, a formidable structure, and a long finish.
2005 Pavillon Rouge 89p
Tasted in October 2015. Delicate and soft, lovely intensity and complexity, round and tasty, silky fruit and tannin.
2004 Pavillon Blanc 90p
Tasted in May 2018. Light and elegant, with notes of citrus and acacia, and a hint of green apple. From old Sauvignon Blancs vines.
2000 Pavillon Rouge 93p
Tasted in May 2018. A nose of awesomely beautiful black fruit, perfectly ripe, it is extremely elegant and sophisticated. It is in full bloom, a testament to the vintage's exceptional quality.
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