Chateau Margaux 2013

Only after aging do the limits of this year’s southernmost communal appellation—hit especially hard by sprinkler irrigation—become apparent. Margaux is not spared either. The winemaking is impeccable and polished, the expression sensual and multi-layered, the structure fine and balanced, with an endlessly long finish of red berries. Yet the whole does not have the quality or stature of its brothers from Pauillac and Pessac Léognan. Hence a score one point lower than en primeur.

This wine is smooth, ripe with fine tannins and red plum and black-currant fruits that are soft and gentle. Acidity dominates at this stage, supported by the tannins. It brings out the fruit and freshness of the year while also keeping some structure from the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink from 2025.

A very pretty, feminine and charming 2013 from this lacklustre vintage. Here, Duroux has pulled something of a rabbit out of the hat because this has surprising appeal with lively, fresh cassis fruit with a touch of spearmint and cream. The tannins are delicate and gentle which befits the fruit and the acidity is perky and fresh. A vin de plaisir but certainly not vin de garde. No pressing rush to consume it, but do drink it sooner rather than later.

A lighter style of Chateau Margaux, due in part to the lack of Merlot in the blend offers a perfume of flowers, red fruits, spice, earth and a hint of tobacco. Soft, smooth, and easy to drink, with a noticeable lack of depth in the mid palate, this is a wine to drink in its youth, while waiting for vintages like 2010 and 2015 to mature.

Pure, fresh and floral nose with aromas of inky dark fruit, cassis, blackberry, fine oak, tobacco and mineral. The palate is dense and grainy with powdery tannin, vibrant and fresh dark berry fruit, mineral with clear flavors and very long fresh finish.

94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot — so no Merlot! 22 hl/ha. Deep purple. The bouquet shows a delicate, plum-like sweetness, underpinned by fine woods and dark roses. Dominican tobacco and subtle malty notes round out the nose. On the palate, delicately full-bodied with elegantly supportive astringency; at the core, floral yet ripe Cabernet notes, black pepper, blackberries and licorice, with a long finish. A small miracle in such an extremely difficult year, illustrating the theory of “saving” super-terroirs. Normally Merlot adds a sweet touch of eroticism to the blend — here it’s a sensational Cabernet steak without sauce.

CHATEAU MARGAUX WITHOUT MERLOT Paul Pontallier asks us to pay attention as he explains the Château Margaux harvest in three words (dans trois mots). The talk then went on for a good ten minutes. But it was fascinating and showed the extremely heterogeneous situation of a very complicated harvest. The selection, however, turned out to be relatively easy because the quality levels were so different. The guiding formula: best terroirs = Grand Vin! It is probably the very first Château Margaux in its history made entirely without Merlot, as far as one can trace the blends in the estate’s own history books. The Merlot was very lean, offered little in terms of aromas, and turned out rather tough. The selection: 38% of the crop became the Grand Vin. At only 21%, they had never produced so little second wine (Pavillon rouge). 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot—so no Merlot! 22 hl/ha. Deep purple, насыщ in the middle, with a garnet rim. The bouquet shows a delicate, plum-like sweetness, underpinned by precious woods and dark roses. Dominican tobacco and fine hints of malt that knit the bouquet together. On the palate, finely full-bodied with elegantly supportive astringency; at its core, floral yet ripe Cabernet notes, black pepper, blackberries, and licorice, with a long finish. A small miracle in such an extremely difficult year, which explains the theory of saving super-terroirs. Normally Merlot adds a slightly sweet pinch of eroticism to the blend—now it’s a sensational Cabernet steak without sauce.

(94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 38% of the crop was used for the Grand Vin) Deep, elegant, complex, fresh bouquet: mulberries, strawberries, tobacco, cedar, fine toasty notes. Dense, powerful, well-balanced palate with good, fine fruit, plenty of high-quality tannin, intense, multi-layered aromatics, currants, cedar, tightly knit structure, and a very long, refined finish with excellent lingering aftertaste. 18/20 2022 - 2038

Margaux's signature floral nose is apparant, and this is impressive, has a curl of woodsmoke that really draws you in. Juicy redcurrant and raspberry fruit, balanced, mandarin peel, pomegranate, slate, a tightrope walk of minerality and creamy fruits. Right up there among the best of the vintage. 80% new oak instead of the usual 100%. No Merlot in the blend for the first time, because the two plots that normally go into the 1st wine were not up to their usual standard and so were used in Pavillon Rouge.

Medium garnet in color, the 2013 Chateau Margaux offers notions of unsmoked cigars, dusty soil, and potpourri over a core of blackcurrant pastilles and spice cake. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled and refreshing, with loads of soft-spoken earthy layers, finishing spicy.

Plenty of generosity for the vintage, with refined texture and tannins. It still needs to be left in peace.

Totally atypical, made up of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It offers a palate of superb purity and tension, with a refined, almost stripped-back character. Very persistent, it will gain in depth over time.

The color is garnet, with red-fruit aromas. The palate is dense, taut and pure, with a lovely length and the signature Cabernet character of Château Margaux. The tannins are a little grippy. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. For the first time, there is no Merlot. The Grand Vin accounts for 41% of production.

Medium ruby red. A complex bouquet with great finesse. Notes of red fruits such as raspberry and grenadine, with hints of caramel. As the minutes go by, the fruit becomes more and more expressive. Notes of cherry and a touch of coconut. Fruity, precise, refreshing attack. Lovely harmony, with grainy tannins that stand up perfectly to the structure. Wild berries. The wine shows both power and finesse, with firm tannins that match the structure perfectly. A great wine. Hold.

Logo on the cork: A in a circle (Amorim) Colour of medium intensity and slightly evolved. Nose a little discreet, with fresh fruit notes. The palate is soft-bodied, developing a fruity, flavoursome profile, with a slight liveliness on the finish and well-integrated tannins. Pleasant overall, but lacking body. Medium length.