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Tasting Notes
This is very perfumed and lively on the nose, with lacy finesse and precision, led by floral notes of violet and lilac, supported by a hint of clove and sweet spice. On the palate, this is a very elegant and such a classic Margaux, backed by soft, weightless and velvety tannins. Concentrated and juicy, this is so enjoyable, with that typical note of graphite appearing on the mid-palate, leading to savoury notes and a saline finish. Fresh and pure, this is a sumptuous example of the 2023 vintage at its best, a beautiful Ch. Margaux build to rival the finest recent vintages. Aged in 100% new oak, with 13.1% alcohol and 3.6pH. Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
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Average Score
James Suckling
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
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The 2023 Château Margaux is clearly one of the greats in the vintage, and it actually reminds me a touch of the 1996, if not better. Revealing a deep purple hue, it has an incredible bouquet of cassis and blue fruits interwoven with classic Margaux floral, sandalwood, spice, and graphite aromatics. It's hard to find a wine in 2023 that has this much density and depth, with sweet tannins and so much charm. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all of which will see 20 months in new barrels. Not enough can be said about the genius of Philippe Bascaules and the Mentzelopoulos family, who continue to produce sensational wine after sensational wine.
In competition for wine of the vintage, with a single swirl, you find roses violets, lilacs, black, with red cherries, espresso, cocoa, and boysenberries in the haunting aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is silky, velvety, energetic, and lively. Instead of the weight and intensity found in the 2022, the 2023 focuses on its purity, refinement, length, vivacity, and sensual textures. The seamless finish resonates for 60 seconds, leaving you with lingering waves of incredibly sweet, and pure cherries. Part of the reason for the success of the vintage at Margaux is due to the combination of the amount of rain, and even more importantly, the timing of the rains, which helped the vines reach a better level of maturity. It is interesting to note that macerations were slow, and easy, with some vats taking 28 days due to the lower ABV levels. The wine blends 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 13.1% ABV. 3.61 pH, 15% press wine. 41% of the crop was placed into the Grand Vin. Picking took place September 11-October 6. The length of the harvest was due to intermittent periods of rain during the harvest, so picking stopped and started, which is another key to the success in 2023.
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."
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About the producer
![Château Margaux - producer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.ctfassets.net%2Fiv9w9q8xwqpv%2F3QrwED1cq1GGePjTrOMCEJ%2F29c3c0562f4a90ab0f88e9106ffd0420%2FCha__teau_Margaux_-_producer.jpg%3Fw%3D400%26h%3D400%26q%3D100%26fit%3Dfill&w=828&q=75&dpl=dpl_F66VtjVPboQ2sZjHi3KihgLFA4Ae)
Ch. Margaux is one of Bordeaux’s most historic and famous estates. The only classified First Growth in Margaux, it epitomises the appellation’s elegance, while producing wines with fantastic ageing potential.