Château Margaux 2009

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Always that sublime texture, that incomparably noble perfume, and magical tannin, the most harmonious and richest Château Margaux of the last thirty years.

About the domain :

This cru has never disappointed since it was bought by the Mentzelopoulos family in 1977. and easily dominates the entire Margaux appellation. Particularly noteworthy are the rare marriage of finesse in density and freshness in opulence, without any over-ripening of the grapes, obtained with a very strong majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A dozen hectares planted with white grapes produce Pavillon Blanc, which in just a few years has become one of three or four of Bordeaux's finest dry whites, for its richness of constitution aromatic nobility of ideally ripe Sauvignon. The red red wine needs long bottle ageing.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The majesty of the château's neo-Palladian architecture makes this estate an extraordinary place. This is also (and above all) true of the wine, which 2009 could only sublimate a little more. And here we have DU margaux: a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot, absolutely elegant from start to finish. In fact, all the delicacy of the Margaux is expressed in its deep, dense, complex bouquet of great freshness, a refined alliance of spices (pepper), fresh fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry), floral nuances (violet) and menthol. Suave, round, generous and sensual on the attack, the palate gradually becomes more powerful, without ever losing its elegance. Caressing tannins, aromatic purity, exceptional length, unsuspected freshness: the combination of a great vintage and perfectly controlled vinification have produced a great, great Bordeaux. Needless to say, waiting for it is an absolute must...

About the domain :

A myth at the end of a long avenue of plane trees. The majesty of the neo-Palladian mansion (built in 1810), which succeeded a former stronghold belonging to some of the region's leading families, has contributed to its renown. The estate was created at the end of the 16th century, and the vineyard at the end of the following century, by a relative of the Pontac family. Passing through several hands over the centuries, it was acquired in 1977 by André Mentzelopoulos (Felix Potin). Drainage, replanting, integrated cooperage... a vast renovation of the estate was undertaken, in the vineyard, the cellar and the château, bringing the cru into the modern era. The new winery, designed by Norman Foster, was inaugurated in 2015. The 99-hectare vineyard also owes its quality to its exceptional terroir, a vast, superb limestone slab covered with fine gravel. It has been run since 1980 by Corinne Mentzelopoulos, André's daughter, who for over thirty years was able to count on Paul Pontallier, who joined the château in 1983 and became director in 1990: a career that sadly came to a premature end in March 2016. Replacing him in 2017 is Philippe Bascaules, an agricultural engineer who worked at the château for twenty years before heading up a major Californian estate. This cru has never disappointed since it was bought by the Mentzelopoulos family in 1977, and easily dominates the whole Margaux appellation. In particular, we admire the rare marriage of finesse in density and freshness in opulence, without any over-ripening of the grapes, achieved with a very high majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A dozen hectares planted with white grapes produce Pavillon-Blanc, which in just a few years has become one of the three or four greatest dry whites in Bordeaux, thanks to its rich constitution and the aromatic nobility of ideally ripe Sauvignon. The red wine needs long bottle ageing to assert its noble character.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

This wine is sublime. The nose is beautifully fresh, with candied blackcurrant, aniseed, sloe and menthol. The palate is iodized, concentrated and taut, making you want to take the cup to your lips to the dregs.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A magnificent gift from the Mentzelopoulos family, who once again, thanks to their talented general manager Paul Pontallier, have delivered an exceptionally concentrated and powerful Château Margaux 2009, with 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and a complementary blend of Merlot and a small proportion of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Médoc wines, alcohol here is rather low (13.3%) compared to its peers. Abundant blueberry, blackcurrant and acacia flower aromas, as well as hints of charcoal and undergrowth, are almost Burgundian in their complexity, followed by wine displaying sweetness? The tannins are well integrated, yet there's a certain airy lightness, despite the wine's overall stature. Rich, round, generous and unusually accessible for such a young Margaux, this 2009 vintage will be very enjoyable in 30-35 years and beyond. (Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012)

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Paul Pontalier, an emblematic figure and director of Château Margaux since 1983, passed away the day after the 2015 harvest, and Philippe Bascaules is now at the helm of this vintage of unrivalled consistency. Tasting a great Château Margaux at its peak remains a unique experience, so distinctive within its appellation is its characteristic floral bouquet, the depth of its flavors and the silkiness of its tannins. All of these characteristics are due to the superb terroir, composed mainly of gravel, which works so well for the Cabernets that make up the heart of Margaux, and which has remained virtually unchanged since its classification. Thanks to improved equipment and an even more rigorous selection process, the latest vintages appear to be the most complete yet. Under the name Pavillon Blanc, the estate also produces a wine which, thanks to a more exacting approach to Sauvignon ripeness, has become one of Bordeaux's finest whites.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

A huge wine for a Margaux built on tannins and ripe fruit. More Cabernet Sauvignon than usual, resulting in intense blackcurrant aromas with good acidity, balanced by the sweetness of the fruit. Ripe swathes ? of this opulent fruit are also elegant and structured.