2023 - Margaux, Margaux

The 2023 Chateau Margaux, accounting for 41% of this year's crop, is deep garnet-purple in color. A little shy to begin, it needs some swirling before notes of black cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, and anise emerge from the glass, leading to suggestions of fragrant soil, lilacs, and cardamom with a touch of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted, with fabulous tension creating an exhilarating sense of energy in the mouth, offset by firm fine-grained tannins to support the vibrant red and black berry layers, finishing long and perfumed. So fragrant and graceful, this could only be Chateau Margaux! The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.60. "There is a little more Cabernet Franc this year. More and more has been making it into the First Wine. We have been grafting over some vines to Cabernet Franc and planting more."

The 2023 Château Margaux is a delicate, beguiling wine. Floral aromatics make a strong first impression. A wine of nuance and understatement, the Margaux Grand Vin is light on its feet, with sublime balance and tons of class. This has closed down quite a bit since I tasted it from barrel, but that is not especially surprising. Readers will find a super-classic Grand Vin—a Margaux that is exactly as it should be.

The 2023 Château Margaux is a delicate, beguiling wine. Floral aromatics make a strong first impression. A wine of nuance and understatement, the Margaux Grand Vin is light on its feet, with sublime balance and tons of class. This has closed down quite a

The 2023 Château Margaux is a delicate, beguiling wine. Floral aromatics make a strong first impression. A wine of nuance and understatement, the Margaux Grand Vin is light on its feet, with sublime balance and tons of class. This has closed down quite a bit since I tasted it from barrel, but that is not especially surprising. Readers will find a super-classic Grand Vin—a Margaux that is exactly as it should be.

The colour has retained its vibrant ruby red of En Primeur, and this is exceptional, totally delivers on promise. The silky, velvety quality of the tannins is immediately apparent, as is the length and breadth of the palate. Waves of cassis, lavender, sage, blackberry, real concentration and intensity, with squid ink that combines umami depth and salinity. 41hl/h yield (compared to 25hl/h last year), 41% of the production in this 1st wine. First year organic conversion, with certification expected in 2026. Superb winemaking from Philippe Bascaules.

The colour has retained its vibrant ruby red of En Primeur, and this is exceptional, totally delivers on promise. The silky, velvety quality of the tannins is immediately apparent, as is the length and breadth of the palate. Waves of cassis, lavender, sag

The 2023 Château Margaux unwinds in the glass with notes of sweet red and black fruits mingled with hints of violets, orange zest and petals, lavishly framed by spicy, toasty oak that is quite prominent out of the gates. Medium- to full-bodied, with a dee

89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 41% of the production. Cask sample.Energy and intrigue but more reticent than Pavillon. Lots of charm on the palate with attractive fruit, silky tannins and freshness. A certain drive and persistence but perhaps not quite the depth of top years. (JL)