Chateau Margaux 2008

It has that distinctive, pure expression of fresh red berries that is a hallmark of great Margaux, supported and underpinned by pronounced, exceptionally compact, dense, fresh tannins.

This is a stunning Chateau Margaux, made in a sexy, upfront, elegant style, with deep crème de cassis fruit interwoven with spring flowers, a solid inner core of richness and depth, but again, very sweet tannins as well as striking minerality and elegance. One of the most seductive Chateau Margauxs given its recent bottling, this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot should drink beautifully for the next 25–30 years. Remarkably, a mere 36% of the entire production was selected for the 2008 Chateau Margaux.

This stood out immediately among the five first growth wines for its floral hit right off the first nose. The epitome of elegance, as I found at the 10-year point, but it is now also starting to deepen and layer, with concentrated black fruits balanced by linen-textured tannins, slowing the progress of the fruit through the palate, stretching out the flavours. First suggestions of tobacco and curling woodsmoke, with a mouthwatering finish — so moreish. 1.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Just 36% of overall production.

Potent oak giving smoke and charred-meat aromas, as well as plush, polished black fruit and loads of savory liquorice character. Long, smooth and persistent, with a great sense of intensity without excess volume. (RH)

2008 Margaux opens with a complex bouquet of fresh flowers, minerals, cassis, earth, forest floor, cedar, and coffee. Full-bodied and concentrated, with round tannins, opulent textures, and ripe fruit, this stylish wine finishes with a long, polished, sexy wave of rich textures. 96 pts

Deep ruby with purple reflections and subtle brightening at the rim. Dark berry fruit supported by notes of nougat and caramel, hints of tobacco and orange zest. Taut and balanced, with silky tannins, a fine touch of chocolate, an elegant food companion, and savoury oak nuances on the finish.

One of the wines of the vintage, the 2008 Château Margaux is a beauty and has everything you could want from a wine. A huge nose of cassis, Asian spices, dried flowers, and incense all soar from the glass, and on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied and pure, with ripe tannins and a great finish. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot made from an incredibly strict selection (only 36% of the production made it into the top wine), this elegant, regal, incredibly classic Château Margaux is thrilling today, but will drink well for another 20-30 years.

36% Grand Vin. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot. The bouquet shows depth, feels cool, with aromas of dark roses and rosewood, and displays a clear Cabernet expression, with a terroir signature through cold smoky nuances. Firm palate, lots of grippy, coarse-grained astringency, muscular, perhaps even seeming a bit hard at this stage; a powerful wine, in its current state rather the opposite of what one imagined until recently from a Château Margaux. A feat of strength with plenty of muscle and flesh, but perhaps (still) too little fat. Let’s hope for the upcoming élevage in barriques. Without doubt, this Margaux has great potential.

36% Grand Vin. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot. The bouquet shows depth, feels cool, and smells of dark roses and rosewood, with clear Cabernet expression and terroir marked by cool smoky nuances. Firm palate, lots of grippy astringency, muscular, perhaps even seeming a bit hard at this stage, coarse-grained astringency, a brutal wine that is somehow the opposite of what one imagined until recently of a Château Margaux. A tour de force with plenty of muscle and flesh, but perhaps too little fat in the body. With more barrique, part of this shortcoming will likely be partially balanced, but it will take a very long time. The potential is significantly greater than the pleasure, which is to be expected very late. 11: Brightening, fresh berry notes, a hint of grenadine. On the palate, velvety with good substance, great sweetness in the extract, strawberries on the finish. (18/20). 12: Deep purple, gently brightening at the rim. Lots of ripe fruit in the form of wild berries, cherries, red and dark plums, then Graham bread and coffee, so already quite multi-layered at this youthful stage. On the palate, firm, marked astringency, pronounced traces of demanding Cabernets; the aromas on the finish point to great classicism, and that is how a Premier from the 2008 vintage may ultimately be. Thus, this Château Margaux is no longer as feminine as earlier vintages, but a solid, demanding wine for the long term. Has gained one point since the en primeur tasting.

Silky, elegant bouquet, red and blue berries, cedar, fine tobacco. Elegant, delicate, Burgundy‑style palate with sweet, refined aromatics, a gently creamy texture, and a long, subtle finish. 18/20 drink - 2030

A very delicate nose that is already open, with notes of fresh fruit. Very approachable on the palate, immense charm, great length and outstanding precision.

The attack is supple, with a touch of fluidity mid-palate, yet real elegance. For a full peak, you’ll need to wait at least ten years.

Subtle, fresh and intense bouquet with notes of red fruit and eucalyptus, followed by a smoky touch. Plenty of finesse on the palate and a good level of fruit intensity. The tannins are perfectly integrated, while the acid structure brings both character and length.

Logo on the cork: inverted T (Trescases) Dark colour with a more evolved rim (brown). Good intensity. Very aromatic nose with fresh, ripe fruit. A hint of truffle. Precise on the attack, savoury mid-palate, fairly aromatic but short-lived; the wine caresses the palate before finishing with a touch of oak. The nature of this persistence could make it pass for something else.

Definite richness alongside classic elegance. It's a stylish wine, the fruit integrated into a beautiful structure. It's not all refinement, because there is also a weight to the black plum skin and dark berry character. A wine that will age over many decades.