2009 - Margaux, Margaux

A benchmark wine at Château Margaux, velvet tannins, exuberant, confident, deftly weaving between fruits and spices. Full of vibrant energy, grilled woodsmoke, crayon, pomegranate, cassis, violet flowers, sandalwood, incense, so generous and frankly so gulpable. It is deceivingly open and welcoming already, but has decades ahead and plenty of hidden depths to reveal with a little patience. Paul Pontallier director. 100% new oak for ageing, 31% of production.

A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2009 Chateau Margaux has a deep garnet color. It comes barrelling out of the glass with bold notions of black cherry compote, warm cassis, vanilla, sassafras, star anise, and unsmoked cigars, with emerging wafts of violets and smoked meats. The medium-bodied palate delivers tantalizing tension with velvety tannins and generous black fruits, finishing long with lingering baking spice and mineral nuances. It is delicious right now but has many, many years of cellaring to go!

The 2009 Château Margaux is deep garnet in color and features wonderfully fragrant minted cassis, lilacs, Black Forest cake and oolong tea scents with touches of pencil shavings and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy frame with lovely freshness lifting the perfumed fruit to a very long, mineral-laced finish.

The 2009 Château Margaux is blessed with a stunning nose that delivers intense blackberry and cranberry scents, crushed rose petals and touches of slate. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, taut and quite linear with an effortless and precise finish that is a pure joy. You have the sense of a Château Margaux that is only beginning to show what it can do. Brilliant. Tasted at BI Wines and Spirits' Ten Year On tasting.

Bright crimson. Great balance. Very Margaux. Very smooth already and this seems to be a lovely moment to drink this wine. Delightfully subtle. (JR)