Château Margaux 2020 - 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This vintage has never disappointed since it was bought by the Mentzelopoulos family in 1977, and easily dominates the entire Margaux appellation. We particularly admire the rare combination of finesse in density and freshness in opulence, without any over-ripeness of the grapes, achieved with a very high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A dozen hectares planted with white grape varieties produce the Pavillon-Blanc, which in just a few years has become one of the three most sought-after wines in the Margaux appellation. majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Around ten hectares planted with white grape varieties produce the 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 structure and the aromatic nobility of ideally ripe Sauvignon. The red wine requires long aging in the bottle.

Decanter

About wine:

Fresh and confident, this effortless Margaux will be a big hit in 2020. It has a bright color in the glass and a delicately fragrant nose. The palate is soft and graceful, silky and rich at the same time. It develops in several layers, much more vertical than broad at this stage, but with obvious concentration. It develops slowly but surely, really taking its time before the juicy, chewy, and succulent notes of blackcurrant, licorice, clove, sweet spices, and refreshing menthol appear. Nuanced and detailed, with precision and clarity in taste and overall sensation. A Margaux for years to come. 2028-2049

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

2018, 2019, 2020: a trilogy that will go down in history. Philippe Bascaules and his teams have once again produced a highly refined wine and have perfectly adapted to this vintage marked by successive waves of heat and an exceptionally dry summer; yet it is a great freshness that emerges from the tasting. The blend, very similar to that of recent vintages, is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. In the glass, it has a magnificent deep, dense color, gradually releasing aromas of rare complexity: ripe black fruits, morello cherry, sweet spices, floral nuances (violet, rose), and notes of graphite and menthol. Then a full-bodied attack opens onto a rich, dense, powerful palate that is also very tender, delicate and velvety, with a sensation of freshness that never falters and culminates in a long finish of Zan and violet. A Margaux of admirable purity and balance. 2028-2045

About the estate:

A myth standing at the end of a long avenue lined with plane trees. The majesty of the neo-Palladian style residence (built in 1810), which replaced an old fortified house belonging to prominent families in the region, contributed to its renown. The estate was established at the end of the 16th century, and the vineyard was created at the end of the following century by a relative of the Pontac family. After passing through several hands over the centuries, it was acquired in 1977 by André Mentzelopoulos (Felix Potin). Drainage, replanting, integrated cooperage... a major renovation of the estate was undertaken, including the vineyard, the winery, and the château, bringing the estate 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 and superb limestone slab covered with fine gravel. Since 1980, it has been run by Corinne Mentzelopoulos, André's daughter, who for more than 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. Agricultural engineer Philippe Bascaules, who worked at the château for twenty years before managing a large Californian estate, replaced him in 2017. This wine has never disappointed since its purchase by the Mentzelopoulos family in 1977, and easily dominates the entire Margaux appellation. Particularly admirable is the rare combination of finesse in density and freshness in opulence, without any over-ripeness of the grapes, achieved with a very high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Ten hectares planted with white grape varieties produce the 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 composition and the aromatic nobility of perfectly ripe Sauvignon. The red wine requires long aging in the bottle to fully express its noble character.

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

About wine:

This great wine will undoubtedly go down in history. The great Cabernets of Margaux express themselves with a balance and vibrancy on the palate that mark one of the greatest successes of the vintage. The texture is fabulous, creamy and sensual, with an endless length that intensifies with each passing second in a festival of fruity notes.

About the estate:

An iconic figure and director of Château Margaux since 1983, Paul Pontalier passed away shortly after the 2015 harvest. Philippe Bascaules now manages this estate, renowned for its exceptional consistency. Tasting a great Château Margaux at its peak remains a unique experience, as the wine stands out within its appellation for its characteristic floral bouquet, depth of flavor, and silky tannins. The wine owes these characteristics to its superb terroir, composed mainly of gravel, which is so well suited to the Cabernet grapes that form the heart of Margaux, and which has remained virtually unchanged since its classification. Thanks to improvements in working methods and even more rigorous selection, the latest vintages appear to be the most complete yet. The estate also produces a wine called Pavillon Blanc, which, thanks to more stringent requirements in terms of the ripeness of the Sauvignon grapes, has become one of the best white wines in Bordeaux.

James Suckling

About wine:

Magnificent aromas of black plums and violets. Orange zest as well. A hint of crushed stone, bark, stems, iron shavings. Full-bodied, but very tight and compact. The tannins are very present, giving it great structure, but they are polished and well-integrated. Needs years to show its full potential. Incredibly polished and structured. More structured than the 2019. Try after 2030 and beyond.

Yves Beck

About wine:

Château Margaux 2020 is very deliberate in the way it reveals and profiles itself. Thus, one must imagine a series of elements that come together in a coordinated manner, taking care not to overpower or overshadow one another. The finesse on the nose is perfectly reflected on the palate, right from the start, where it shines with its roundness, fullness, and tenderness embodied by supple, velvety tannins. This is just the beginning, because we suspect that it will not stop there... and this becomes evident as the wine develops on the palate. The tannins assert themselves on the finish and are ideally supported, or complemented, by a structuring and well-honed acidity, which acts behind the scenes. It is somewhat underestimated, as are the tannins, but in the end, the whole supports the finish in a convincing and imposing manner. A very great Château Margaux that will need to be patiently awaited. And since we will also have to wait for the Pavillon Rouge, the Pavillon Blanc will remain for much pleasure and a little thirst! 2027-2047

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is elegant, refined, fruity, and powerful (in terms of finesse and fullness), with beautiful finesse in its richness and texture, an airy power, freshness, mastery, and a lovely depth and breadth of aromatics. There are notes of bright boysenberry, pulpy blackcurrant and, more subtly, blueberry, violet and strawberry, combined with hints of bourbon vanilla, lilac, saffron and star anise, as well as discreet hints of black tea and a subtle hint of hazelnut. The palate is fruity, elegant, delicate, powerful, beautifully defined and offers depth, beautiful finesse, delicate tension, richness in subtlety/finesse, mastery, fullness, harmony, sapidity, energy, silkiness and an airy character in the balance. Nice mid-palate with a multi-layered aspect. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, bright raspberry and, more subtly, bright blackcurrant, combined with hints of bright red berries, pulpy/juicy blueberry, cornflower/lily, star anise and subtle hints of tonka bean, chocolate, toasted hazelnut, and a subtle hint of black tea. The tannins are elegant, mellow, and polished. There is an imperceptible hint of Bourbon vanilla pod, white flowers, and toast on the finish/persistence. A very nice persistence. A wine full of classicism in its noblest sense. Congratulations!

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About wine:

It is the elegance of the wine, the silkiness of the tannins, and the purity of the fruit that give this wine its character. On the palate, you find layers of sweet, refined cherries, red plums, and black raspberries, as if they had been picked at the perfect moment and eaten in the vineyard. Texturally, the wine is incredible. The fruit is velvety, creamy, fresh, long, and rich. Everything is in balance and harmony. The finish is smooth, making this an easy wine to enjoy. Drink from 2030 to 2060.