2019 Margaux

This expands sideways, vertically and downwards, with a creamy mid palate and a rose petal, peony, raspberry and cassis collision on the nose. This is chewy in its tannic structure, full on and yet delicate and sappy. Fresh, elegant, perfumed and concentrated - clearly will age for decades. This is close in character to the 2009 or 2015, two exceptional vintages at Margaux and classic to the graceful yet concentrated signature of the property. 1% Petit Verdot to complete the blend, 100% new oak although barely discernible already. 37% of overall production in the 1st wine this year.

Dark garnet with purple accents in the hue tells you the wine going to be concentrated. The nose, with its showy aromatic display of lilacs, roses, herbs, cigar box, blackberries, dark red pit fruits, gun powder and violets informs you the wine is complex. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, silky, and seductive. It starts off discreetly before moving to its sexy side. The layers of sweet, fresh, vibrant, black and red fruit come on strong and keep on going long after the wine has left the glass. The wine blends 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.9% alcohol. The Grand Vin was produced using only 37% of the harvest. Picking took place September 18 - October 10, making this a fairly leisurely harvest.

The 2019 Château Margaux, like many other top names, was tasted in 12-hour intervals after opening. Like the Pavillon Rouge, it is tightly-wound on the nose initially and it is really only after 12-hours that it begins to motor, revealing enticing scents of blackberry, briary, seaweed and crushed stone, perhaps less florality, less violet-inspired aromas compared to previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with very lithe tannins that disguise the considerable backbone of this First Growth. This is imbued with a sense of linearity and focus, a strictness that gradually gives way to more sensuality. It is a beautifully proportioned Château Margaux, somehow "effortless", fanning out nonchalantly with residues of white pepper and fresh tobacco on the finish. Outstanding.