Margaux

Tasting Notes:
A fabulous effort, the dense purple-tinged 2005 Margaux (85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot) possesses an ethereal lightness reminiscent of the 1996 Margaux and 2005 Lafite-Rothschild. Beautiful aromas of flowers as well as blue and black fruits, silky tannin, full-bodied power, laser-like precision, and superb purity and length are found in this wine of extraordinary integrity and class. While it is one of the few 2005 first-growths that will be approachable within a decade, it should prove to be uncommonly long-lived (even by Bordeaux standards), lasting 50-60+ years. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2017-2067

Tasting Notes:
A fabulous effort, the dense purple-tinged 2005 Margaux (85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot) possesses an ethereal lightness reminiscent of the 1996 Margaux and 2005 Lafite-Rothschild. Beautiful aromas of flowers as well as blue and black fruits, silky tannin, full-bodied power, laser-like precision, and superb purity and length are found in this wine of extraordinary integrity and class. While it is one of the few 2005 first-growths that will be approachable within a decade, it should prove to be uncommonly long-lived (even by Bordeaux standards), lasting 50-60+ years. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2017-2067

Tasting Notes:
A fabulous effort, the dense purple-tinged 2005 Margaux (85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot) possesses an ethereal lightness reminiscent of the 1996 Margaux and 2005 Lafite-Rothschild. Beautiful aromas of flowers as well as blue and black fruits, silky tannin, full-bodied power, laser-like precision, and superb purity and length are found in this wine of extraordinary integrity and class. While it is one of the few 2005 first-growths that will be approachable within a decade, it should prove to be uncommonly long-lived (even by Bordeaux standards), lasting 50-60+ years. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2017-2067

Tasting Notes:
Another celestial effort from Paul Pontallier and Corinne Mentzelopoulus, the 2005 Margaux, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, boasts a dense opaque blue/purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of spring flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and, despite its having spent two years in 100% new wood, only a subtle touch of toasty oak. Although full-bodied, the wine seems light on its feet because of the silky tannins as well as the great gravel terroir from which it comes. Beautiful purity, length, and nobility define this modern day classic. Is it better than the 2000, 1996, 1990, or some of the vintages from the decade of the eighties? Who knows, but it is unquestionably one of the all-time great wines made at Chateau Margaux. This estate has produced only exceptional wines over the last three decades. The seamlessness of the 2005 suggests it will perform well early, but it should last for a half century or more. Wine Advocate # 176 Apr 2008
Parker Points: 98
Drinking Period: 2013-2050+.

Tasting Notes:
The supple-textured 2004 Chateau Margaux is reminiscent of the 2001 or 1999. It exhibits a superb blue/purple color to the rim as well as sweet aromas of flowers, blueberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and smoke, superb fruit intensity, medium body, classic elegance, and silky, sweet tannin in the long finish. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 2007-2027

Tasting Notes:
The sexy, dark plum/purple-colored 1999 Margaux is already revealing complex aromatics. This surprisingly charming and round offering is reminiscent of a vintage such as 1985. Although neither a blockbuster nor a heavyweight, it grows in the mouth revealing tremendous length as well as purity. Administrator Paul Pontallier prefers it to the more austere 1998, as do I. This is an archetypical Chateau Margaux of richness, finesse, balance, and symmetry. It can be drunk young, but promises to age nicely for two decades. Extrapolating backwards, it would probably have something in common with the underrated 1962 Medocs. Wine Advocate #140 April 2002
Parker Points: 94
Drinking Period: 2002-2022

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:
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:
As I indicated last year, administrator Paul Pontallier, along with the owners, has made a concerted effort to upgrade the quality of Chateau MargauxÕs second wine, which now represents nearly 200,000 bottles. The 2005 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (primarily equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a small dollop of Petit Verdot) is actually higher in alcohol (14%) than its big sibling. Although not as complex as that wine, it is an intense, fleshy, silky-textured, opulent, rich effort boasting terrific purity as well as sweet fruit and tannin. A sleeper selection, it will provide immense enjoyment for 15 or more years. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2007-2022