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 signature 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.

How to serve Château Margaux

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Roasted Pauillac lamb saddle, Wild Scottish grouse, White truffle risotto. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Estate 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: 2019 vintage drew top-tier critic review from Wine Advocate (William Kelley, reviewer-points tuples on scores array)

Facts

Producer

Château Margaux · visiting guide

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

Frequently asked about Château Margaux

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