Château Margaux 2018 - 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

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:

A very hot year, 2018 was particularly so from late June to August. What's more, after a well-watered start to the year and thunderstorms in July that triggered an attack of mildew, the three summer months suffered from a lack of water, with just 48 mm of rain from mid-July to the end of September. Harvesting was late, from September 17 to October 13, but under good auspices, the only downside being low yields. The blend is centered on Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), complemented by Merlot (4%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The wine's concentration is immediately apparent on visual inspection, with a deep ruby color with black highlights. Equally intense, the bouquet is dominated by candied black cherry, with elegant hints of violet and sandalwood. Full-bodied, round and fleshy, supported by beautifully silky, fine-grained tannins, the palate is admirable for its assured balance between power, freshness (despite this sunny vintage) and elegance. A bottle of great class.

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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Château Margaux 2018 is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, representing 36% of this year's harvest. The wine has a pH of 3.8 and an alcohol content of 14%. Deep purple-black in color, the wine unfolds slowly to reveal tantalizing scents of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and Black Forest cake, with notes of redcurrant jelly, rose essence, dark chocolate and cedar, as well as a touch of star anise. The medium- to full-bodied palate is packed with opulent black fruits, fragrant earth and flowers, underpinned by a rock-solid structure, perfectly ripe tannins, unfailing freshness and fantastic length. This is classic Margaux at its most seductive, yet surprisingly accessible and absolutely delicious right now. But to enjoy it in all its glory, you'll need to cellar it for at least 6-8 years and watch it metamorphose over the next 40.

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 suits the Cabernets that make up the heart of Margaux so well, 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.

James Suckling

About the wine:

So much ash, tobacco and earth, as well as brilliant aromas of blackberry, redcurrant. Flowers too. Fresh. This is a full-bodied wine with homogeneous tannins that spread across your palate and caress every square centimeter. It reveals plenty of aromas of blackberry, cherry, cassis, chocolate, as well as nuts and light touches of cedar. The finish lingers for several minutes. Extremely refined and elegant, despite the structure. A joy to taste, but to drink after 2025.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Lots of subtlety and elegance in the bouquet of Château Margaux 2018. It reveals itself slowly, with finesse and a pleasant varietal freshness, with hints of eucalyptus followed by a touch of cinnamon. Good symbiosis between notes of raspberries, blackberries, a touch of prunes and a little licorice. Precise and ample on the palate. It has the highest tannin index known to Château Margaux. The result is an elegant, silky yet powerful texture, thanks to perfectly integrated tannins. A balanced, subtle, elegant wine. Notes of raspberry and licorice on the finish. Persistent finish. 2026-2058

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Dark, intense, crimson color. Beautiful, highly aromatic nose, fine, fruity and pure. Meticulous on entry, yet at the same time mellow, the wine evolves juicy and powerful. It changes between the middle and the finish, becoming more powerful than it sometimes is. Only in the last few seconds does it regain its delicacy. Fine-grained persistence. Remember, this is one of the most tannically rich Châteaux Margaux. Great ageing potential.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, elegant and offers power (in mastery/fine), intensity (in mastery), fine grain as well as subtlety and complexity. There are notes of ripe wild blackberry, wild strawberry and, more lightly, violet, combined with hints of ripe wild red berries, violet plum, very discreet hints of Szechuan pepper and an imperceptible hint of green cardamom. The palate is fruity, fresh, elegant and delicate, offering energy, racy minerality, subtlety, richness, energy, suppleness and richness (with finesse), roundness and a little fat. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy raspberry, juicy blackcurrant and, more lightly, violet plum, combined with hints of juicy/fresh red berries, racy minerality, cardamom, toast, tonka bean, as well as a subtle hint of lily, bergamot, toasted almond and a subtle touch of caramelized hazelnut. The tannins are precise, elegant and supple. A lovely finish with discreet hints of tonka bean.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Perfectly balanced between opulence and refinement, richness and elegance, this is a fine example of Château Margaux with intense notes of lilac, violet, cigar box, red fruit and espresso. The palate is concentrated, but there's also freshness and aromatic depth, so this silky-textured wine is airy and easy to drink. The seamless finish offers great energy, delicate, silky tannins and a magnificent sensation of fruit purity that doesn't seem to disappear. Made from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.