Château Margaux

In the glass

Aroma: roses, violets, cassis, cedar, graphite

Palate: black cherry, ripe blackcurrant, fine powdery tannins, vibrant saline minerality, penetrating length

The most perfumed of the Médoc first growths: haunting floral aromatics of roses and violets above a core of concentrated cassis, extraordinary saline minerality, and tannins demanding decades of patience.

What it pairs with

• Roasted Pauillac lamb saddle
  The iconic Bordeaux pairing: structured first-growth tannins and mineral precision meet the finest regional lamb.
• Wild Scottish grouse
  Game birds' gamey intensity and earthy character demand the complexity and aromatic depth of a great Margaux.
• White truffle risotto
  Earthy truffle and the wine's graphite-and-violet precision create an extraordinary aromatic dialogue.
• Foie gras mi-cuit
  The wine's grippy tannins and high acidity cut through the richness of mi-cuit foie gras.

History

One of the world's most iconic wine names, documented since the 12th century as 'La Mothe de Margaux' and restructured by the Lestonnac family from 1572. The Mentzelopoulos family acquired the estate in 1977 and led its modern renaissance under director Paul Pontallier (1983-2016), followed by Philippe Bascaules.

1. 1572 — Lestonnac family restructures the property entirely to viticulture
2. 1855 — Classified as Premier Cru in the Bordeaux 1855 Classification
3. 1977 — André Mentzelopoulos purchases the estate and begins quality revival
4. 1983 — Paul Pontallier appointed director, leading 33-year quality era
5. 2019 — Vintage achieves 100 points from Wine Advocate (William Kelley)

Facts

Producer

Château Margaux

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (7%), Cabernet Franc (2%), Petit Verdot (1%)

Classification

Margaux AOC, Premier Cru Classé (1855)

Oak

100% new French oak barrels, 18-24 months

ABV

13.5%

Production

144,000 bottles

Price

€700-2000 at retail

Drinking window

15-50 from vintage

First vintage

1787

Scores

• Wine Advocate 100 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
• Decanter 98 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2023)

Tags