Château Margaux 2007
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 2007 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 92
Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Chateau Margaux was just missing a little intensity on the nose compared to the other First Growths: scents of incense and iris, blackberry and tobacco, perhaps just missing the floral nature of other vintages. The palate is well balanced with supple black fruit laced with graphite and tobacco, fully matured but clearly with sufficient substance to last another 15-20 years. It is a capable Chateau Margaux, although frankly it does not put enough distance between itself and its Margaux peers, yapping at its heels. Tasted February 2017.
Wine Spectator
Point Score: 89-92
Aromas of blackberry, black licorice and currant follow through to a medium-to-full body, with fine tannins and a long, sweet fruit finish. Balanced and perfumed. Very Burgundian and pretty. Score range: 89-92
Stephen Tanzer - Vinous
Point Score: 93
(87% cabernet sauvignon, 11% merlot and 2% cabernet franc; 13% alcohol, following a bit of saignee or chaptalization of the must from various plots) Bright red-ruby. Wonderfully floral, pure nose offers blueberry, cherry and violet. Juicy, spicy and classic, with berry, floral and spicy flavors that seem to vibrate in the mouth. This boasts remarkable inner-palate perfume. An extremely subtle and discreet wine with excellent balance, very good but not exceptional density, and lovely lingering perfume. The IPT here is a relatively modest 61 (compared, for example, to 78 in 2005 and 73 in 2003). Pontallier compared this to the estate's 2004-"only softer." If it puts on weight in barrel, it should ultimately merit a score at the high end of my range.