Margaux

Tasting Notes:
Am I being too stingy with the 2003 Chateau Margaux? A wine of extraordinary complexity and intensity, it reveals a deep purple color, a style not unlike the 1990 Margaux (possibly even more concentrated), a velvety texture, and notes of spring flowers interwoven with camphor, melted licorice, creme de cassis, and pain grille. Not a blockbuster, it offers extraordinary intensity as well as a surreal delicacy/lightness. There is riveting freshness to this offering, which tips the scales at a lofty (for this estate) 13.5% alcohol, as well as an alluring sweetness and accessibility. It probably will tighten up over the next few years. Nevertheless, it is a profound Chateau Margaux that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1990. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period: 2011-2035

Tasting Notes:
Am I being too stingy with the 2003 Chateau Margaux? A wine of extraordinary complexity and intensity, it reveals a deep purple color, a style not unlike the 1990 Margaux (possibly even more concentrated), a velvety texture, and notes of spring flowers interwoven with camphor, melted licorice, creme de cassis, and pain grille. Not a blockbuster, it offers extraordinary intensity as well as a surreal delicacy/lightness. There is riveting freshness to this offering, which tips the scales at a lofty (for this estate) 13.5% alcohol, as well as an alluring sweetness and accessibility. It probably will tighten up over the next few years. Nevertheless, it is a profound Chateau Margaux that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1990. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period: 2011-2035

Tasting Notes:
Bottled in late November, 2002, the 2000 has turned out to be a colossal example of Chateau Margaux that is tasting even better from bottle than it was from cask. Only 40% of the crop made it into this 2000 Margaux, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Stylistically, it is somewhat of a hybrid between the succulent, opulent, fleshy 1990, and the more delineated, structured, cooler climate-tasting 1996. The 2000 possesses a saturated ruby/purple color to the rim as well as an extraordinarily promising nose of creme de cassis intermixed with white flowers, licorice, and hints of espresso and toasty oak. There is great intensity, compelling purity, a multi-layered, full-bodied palate, and a finish that goes on for nearly 70+ seconds. Bottled naturally, with no filtration, it is a monumental example of the elegance and power that symbolize this extraordinary vineyard. A tour de force in winemaking, many of my colleagues predicted, far earlier than me, that it would be the "wine of the vintage." It is certainly one of the wines of the vintage, but there is plenty of competition, even at this lofty level of quality. Absolutely awesome!
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2012-2050

Tasting Notes:
Bottled in late November, 2002, the 2000 has turned out to be a colossal example of Chateau Margaux that is tasting even better from bottle than it was from cask. Only 40% of the crop made it into this 2000 Margaux, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Stylistically, it is somewhat of a hybrid between the succulent, opulent, fleshy 1990, and the more delineated, structured, cooler climate-tasting 1996. The 2000 possesses a saturated ruby/purple color to the rim as well as an extraordinarily promising nose of creme de cassis intermixed with white flowers, licorice, and hints of espresso and toasty oak. There is great intensity, compelling purity, a multi-layered, full-bodied palate, and a finish that goes on for nearly 70+ seconds. Bottled naturally, with no filtration, it is a monumental example of the elegance and power that symbolize this extraordinary vineyard. A tour de force in winemaking, many of my colleagues predicted, far earlier than me, that it would be the "wine of the vintage." It is certainly one of the wines of the vintage, but there is plenty of competition, even at this lofty level of quality. Absolutely awesome!
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2012-2050

Tasting Notes:
The 1998 Margaux's color is a dense ruby/purple. The wine is tannic and austere, but elegant, with notes of asphalt, blackberries, acacia flowers, and sweet, toasty oak. Subtle, rich, nicely-textured, and medium-bodied, it is built for the long haul. Wine Advocate #134 April 2001
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2006-2030

Tasting Notes:
99 points. The 1996 Chateau Margaux, which was bottled in September 1998, is undoubtedly one of the great classics produced under the Mentzelopoulous regime. In many respects it is the quinessential Chateau Margaux, as well as the paradigm of this estate, combining measured power, extraordinary elegance and admirable complexity. I tasted this wine on three separate occaisons in January and in short it's a beauty. The colour is opaque purple. The wine offers extraordinary pure notes of blackberries, cassis, pain grille and flowers, gorgeous sweetness, a seamless personality and full body with nothing out of place. The final blend (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) contains the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon since the 1986. Both Corinne Mentzelopoulos and administrator Paul Pontallier claim they prefer it to the 1995, which is saying something given how fabulous that wine has turned out. When tasted side by side, the 1996 does taste more complete and longer, although just as backward. My instincts suggest this wine will shut down, but at present it is open-knit, tasting like a recently bottled wine. The fruit is exceptionally sweet and pure and there are layers of flavour in the mouth. I posed the question last year as to whether it was capable of surpassing the quality of the 1995, 1990, 1986, 1983 and 1982? Time will tell. Personally, I prefer the opulence and viscosity of the 1990 from a purely hedonistic standpoint, but I do believe this wine will develop an extraordinary perfume and possess the same level of richness as the most concentrated vintages Margaux has produced. It is one of the strongest candidates for the wine of the vintage. Anticipated maturity 2005 - 2040. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 4/99.
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
99 points. The 1996 Chateau Margaux, which was bottled in September 1998, is undoubtedly one of the great classics produced under the Mentzelopoulous regime. In many respects it is the quinessential Chateau Margaux, as well as the paradigm of this estate, combining measured power, extraordinary elegance and admirable complexity. I tasted this wine on three separate occaisons in January and in short it's a beauty. The colour is opaque purple. The wine offers extraordinary pure notes of blackberries, cassis, pain grille and flowers, gorgeous sweetness, a seamless personality and full body with nothing out of place. The final blend (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) contains the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon since the 1986. Both Corinne Mentzelopoulos and administrator Paul Pontallier claim they prefer it to the 1995, which is saying something given how fabulous that wine has turned out. When tasted side by side, the 1996 does taste more complete and longer, although just as backward. My instincts suggest this wine will shut down, but at present it is open-knit, tasting like a recently bottled wine. The fruit is exceptionally sweet and pure and there are layers of flavour in the mouth. I posed the question last year as to whether it was capable of surpassing the quality of the 1995, 1990, 1986, 1983 and 1982? Time will tell. Personally, I prefer the opulence and viscosity of the 1990 from a purely hedonistic standpoint, but I do believe this wine will develop an extraordinary perfume and possess the same level of richness as the most concentrated vintages Margaux has produced. It is one of the strongest candidates for the wine of the vintage. Anticipated maturity 2005 - 2040. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 4/99.
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
Bottled very late (November, 1997), the 1995 has continued to flesh out, developing into one of the great classics made under the Mentzelopoulos regime. The color is opaque ruby/purple. The nose offers aromas of licorice and sweet smoky new oak intermixed with jammy black fruits, licorice, and minerals. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with extraordinary richness, fabulous equilibrium, and hefty tannin in the finish. In spite of its large size and youthfulness, this wine is user-friendly and accessible. This is a thrilling Margaux that will always be softer and more evolved than its broader-shouldered sibling, the 1996. How fascinating it will be to follow the evolution of both of these vintages over the next half century. Wine Advocate # 115 Feb 1998
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2005-2040

Tasting Notes:
Since 1978 there have been only two first-growths (or two of the so-called "big eight" of Bordeaux) that have been consistently excellent to superb - Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Margaux. Margaux's admirable consistency is well-displayed in the 1993-95 wines. Chateau Margaux was one of the last estates to bottle their 1994 (September, 1996), hoping to soften the vintage's high, hard tannin level. The wine has turned out to be a classic, long-lived Margaux. The opaque purple color is followed by this estate's tell-tale aromas of flowers, blackcurrants, licorice, and smoky oak. This dense, powerful, closed wine is a true vin de gard. It needs a decade of cellaring, but it should last for 25-35 years. Readers may find this wine reminiscent of the 1988, only riper and more powerful. Wine Advocate #109 February 1997
Parker Points: 92
Drinking Period: 2005-2030

Tasting Notes:
The 1988 offers a classic bouquet of violets and blackcurrants intertwined with lavish quantities of toasty new oak. Medium-bodied, concentrated, but extremely hard and tannic, this elegantly wrought, slightly herbaceous wine possesses a tougher texture and more astringent tannins than usual. It has begun to reveal more sweetness of fruit, but the wine is slightly compact and angular. Last tasted, 6/93. Wine Advocate # 88 Aug 1993
Parker Points: 88
Drinking Period: 2000-2015

Tasting Notes:
96 points. The 1986 Margaux continues to be the most powerful, tannic, and muscular Margaux made in decades. One wonders if the 1928 or 1945 had as much power and depth as the 1986? The black/ruby/purple color reveals no sign of age. The reluctant nose offers up aromas of smoky, toasty new oak and blackcurrants, as well as a few flowers. The wine is mammoth, with extraordinary extract, superb balance, and a frightfully tannic finish. A Margaux of immense stature, it is made in a masculine, full-bodied style that is in complete contrast to the 1990. It should prove nearly immortal in terms of aging potential, but will it have the awesome potential I first predicted? Tasted 12 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2050. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 10/94.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
96 points. The 1986 Margaux continues to be the most powerful, tannic, and muscular Margaux made in decades. One wonders if the 1928 or 1945 had as much power and depth as the 1986? The black/ruby/purple color reveals no sign of age. The reluctant nose offers up aromas of smoky, toasty new oak and blackcurrants, as well as a few flowers. The wine is mammoth, with extraordinary extract, superb balance, and a frightfully tannic finish. A Margaux of immense stature, it is made in a masculine, full-bodied style that is in complete contrast to the 1990. It should prove nearly immortal in terms of aging potential, but will it have the awesome potential I first predicted? Tasted 12 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2050. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 10/94.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
The 1983 Margaux is a breathtaking wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes achieved perfect maturity in 1983, and the result is an astonishingly rich, concentrated, atypically powerful and tannic Margaux. The color is dark ruby, the aromas exude ripe cassis fruit, violets, and vanillin oakiness, and the flavors are extremely deep and long on the palate with a clean, incredibly long finish. This full-bodied, powerful wine remains stubbornly backward and at least 5-6 years away from maturity. Last tasted 9/97. Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1 Jan 1998
Parker Points: 96
Drinking Period: 2002-2030

Tasting Notes:
96 points. This is an atypically powerful, thick, ruggedly constructed Margaux that has been downgraded slightly because of a certain coarseness I have detected in the tannin as the wine has evolved. Nevertheless, I would be thrilled to drink this wine - anytime, any place. It may just be that the wine's tannin and structure are more noticeable than in the past. The opaque purple/garnet color is followed by an intense, sweet nose of truffles, cassis, smoke, flowers, and toasty oak. Full-bodied, with impressive levels of glycerin, extract, and tannin, this large-scaled, robust Margaux may not possess the sheer class and breed of such other great Margaux vintages as 1983, 1986, and 1990, but it offers a huge, massive mouthful of thick, succulent wine. The elevated tannin in the finish suggests the wine should be cellared for another 5-7 years, but the thick, juicy chewiness so common in the top 1982s is hard to resist. Tasted 20 times since bottling with consistent notes. Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 12/97.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
MargauxÕs second wine, the 2004 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux, may turn out to be outstanding. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by fleshy notes of black currants, cherries, smoke, earth, and spring flowers. Lovely, ripe, and opulent, it is best consumed during its first 10-15 years of life. The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 89
Drinking Period: 2007-2022

Tasting Notes:
Medium colour. A little hard and raw on the nose. Better on the palate. Good balance here. Stylish fruit. Medium to medium-full body. Ripe, with very good acidity. The tannins are a little aggressive at present, and there is no sign of the new wood. But it will round off. Good plus. From 2002. Clive Coates - The Vine 6/97.
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -