Château Margaux 2019
Review of the Estate
Château Margaux is known for producing some of the silkiest, most aromatic wines in Bordeaux and it has been famous for doing so for centuries. The origins of the estate may be traced back to the 15th century when the Lestonnac family took over a grain growing property known as Lamothe (deriving from la motte - meaning a small rise in the land, or hill). The agricultural change from cereal crops to vines was led by Pierre de Lestonnac from 1572 to 1582. Further developments occurred when, over a century later, Chateau Margaux estate manager, Monsieur Berlon, saw the benefits of vinifying red and white grapes separately. This change was what set Chateau Margaux firmly on the path to modern vinification practices and international renown.
This reputation spread over the next several hundred years. Sir Robert Walpole, the English Prime Minister in the early 18th Century, declared himself an avid supporter of Chateau Margaux and was known to purchase four casks every three months! When the Marquis de la Colonilla purchased the estate in the early 19th century, the outstanding reputation of Chateua Margaux's wines demanded an impressive chateau to match. Built in 1810 by Louis Combes, the current chateau is a unique example of the neo-classical style. With its structured facade, balanced by ionic columns, it exudes a refined elegance not dissimilar to that of the wines produced within. Chateau Margaux was officially recognised as an historic monument in 1946.
Today Chateau Margaux is owned by Corinne Mentzelopoulos. Her father, Andrè, purchased the estate in 1977 and invested significantly in the regeneration of the vineyard and winery by installing new drainage systems, replanting vines, creating a new underground cellar and investing in new oak barrels. The result of these improvements is evident in the spectacular and consistent vintages produced by Chateau Margaux since the 1978 vintage. This has allowed Chateau Margaux to remain a dominant force in a highly competitive market and maintain its preeminent global reputation.
Vineyard
Surface area: 192.7 acres
Grape Varieties: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
Average age of vines: 35 years
Density of plantation: 10,00 vines per hectare
Average yields: 45 hectoliters per hectare
Average cases produced: 16,500 per year
Plateau of maturity: 9 - 35 years
Château Margaux 2019 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 97-100
The 2019 Chateau Margaux is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, accounting for 37% of the crop. The alcohol came in at 13.9%, the IPT was 75, and the pH was 3.66. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose begins with intense scents of crushed blackberries, warm cassis and plum preserves before fanning out into a whole array of floral, exotic spice and earth scents: iris, red roses, star anise, cassis, tilled soil, moss-covered bark and black truffles, with an emerging waft of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate quivers with energy, emitting loads of mineral sparks, featuring bold freshness and fantastically ripe, finely grained tannins to support the delicate, perfumed layers, finishing very long and wonderfully poised. The juxtaposition between the acidity and the richness in this Chateau Margaux is just extraordinary!
Side Note:
"2019 was quite easy for us," Chateau Margaux's technical director, Philippe Bascaules, told me. "The spring was usual, average temperatures, a little more rain than usual at the start, but this was good to help keep the vines fresh through the year. Flowering was average. We expected to pick the Merlot in September and Cabernet Sauvignon in early October. Then, in the summer only 64 millimeters rain fell. This was a little difficult for the young vines, but the old vines did fine. The berries were very small; the sugar levels were good. The Merlot harvest began on 18th September. It came in at 14.5% to 15.5% alcohol!
Then we had some rain on 21st and 22nd September. We had to decide to pick or wait. We waited until 1st October to begin picking the Cabernet Sauvignon. There was no botrytis. We think this rain was very good. It helped to finish the ripening of the tannins. In the end, the style of the blends is much fresher and more classic. By mid-September we had some dehydration, so for the complexity of the aromas, the 30 millimeters of rain we got helped to add more aromas. Yields were great-47 hectoliters per hectare in 2019-we will have a lot of wine this year! The balance we had in the wines was in the grapes in 2019. It seemed very easy to make a great wine-nature gave perfect balance by itself."
Note that no 2019 Pavillon Blanc was shown at this time, as Bascaules felt it was too fragile at this stage to send as a barrel sample.
Decanter
Point Score: 98
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.
James Suckling
Point Score: 99-100
The fantastic quality of the cabernet sauvignon really comes through here with black currant, blueberry and raspberry character. It's full-bodied with such tightness. It's so beautiful in the center palate. The tannins are wonderfully blended into the wine and flow across the palate. Rather leaner and racy. Ethereal. 37% of the production and 90% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.