The southernmost of the Médoc's communal appellations, Margaux is also the largest with almost 1,500 hectares. This world-famous vineyard is an obvious oenological destination for wine lovers thanks to its emblematic property names, headed by Château Margaux Premier Cru Classé in 1855, which take advantage of a very stony terroir, made of gravel and alluvial gravel. Cabernet Sauvignon, king of Pauillac, Saint-Estephe and Saint-Julien, represents 60% of the vineyard, followed by Merlot, the flagship grape variety of Bordeaux’s Right Bank and in particular Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, found in greater quantities in the wines than in the other communal appellations of the Médoc, such as Château Palmer, where it is the majority. The vines in this Bordeaux appellation benefit from a mild, temperate climate thanks to the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the river on the other, both of which act as thermal regulators. It is these favourable conditions that have enabled many of the Margaux properties to produce some of the best Primeurs of Bordeaux 2021.
Weather conditions for the 2021 vintage in the Margaux appellation
The end of the winter was exceptionally mild in Bordeaux and particularly on the Left Bank, in the Médoc, with temperatures that were occasionally summery in March, leading to an early budburst. The situation changed radically in April with cold spells accompanied by heavy frosts which had an uneven impact on the Margaux appellation vineyards. The situation was all the more damaging as the growth cycle was very advanced. The cool, rainy spring continued until June and it was not until July that a more summer-like situation arrived. September, punctuated by rain, allowed the ripening to start again and a magnificent month of October finished by refining it perfectly.
What is the profile of the Margaux appellation primeur wines in 2021?
The wines of Margaux in 2021 are wines that can easily be described as charming! Many speak of them as having a profile resembling a classic from the last century, particularly in lower alcohol content. Thanks to relatively cool temperatures at times, the sugar levels indeed return to a more classic level. The aromas are very expressive, on the fruit and the wines are generally silky. The 2021 Margaux primeur wines are fresh, fruity, elegant with fine tannins thanks to a particularly successful Cabernet Sauvignon.
Top Margaux wines 2021
At the top of the appellation's pyramid, as in every vintage, sits Château Margaux, a Premier Cru Classé in 1855 in Bordeaux. In an elegant, refined, classic style, the great red wine of this emblematic property is one of the best of the 2021 vintage in Bordeaux.
In an exceptionally good year for whites, Château Margaux's Pavillon Blanc has been praised by critics, including Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, who described its 2021 version as one of the most successful of recent vintages. Its red version, Pavillon Rouge, the estate’s Second Wine, is also to be acquired for those seeking to taste the identity of this château at a more accessible price.
Château Palmer, 3rd classified growth in 1855, is once again a must-have in the appellation, on a level similar to Château Margaux. Biodynamically farmed for several years now and characterised by a majority proportion of Merlot in a vineyard where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Château Palmer has produced a vibrant, energetic Futures wine in 2021, characterised by velvet, opulence and complexity.
The Margaux appellation is full of great quality wines even if the styles are quite different. Thus, Châteaux Rauzan-Ségla, Brane-Cantenac, Giscours, Durfort-Vivens, Malescot Saint-Exupéry or d'Issan offer nuanced 2021 wines which offer clear visions of both the specific terroirs and the styles, within a general profile characterised by the typical freshness of the vintage and the gourmet aromatic expression.
The best value for money
It is possible to find a large number of wines in this area at very different prices that can satisfy any public looking for a 2021 primeur wine. The styles are varied and each estate offers its own interpretation of the terroir and the vintage.
If you do not find the information you are looking for on the individual wine pages, please contact our customer service department. Whether you are looking for a red or white en primeur wine, a Saint-Emilion, Pessac-Léognan, Pauillac or other wine, or a particular château, our team is at your disposal to provide you with all the necessary information and to guide you according to your preferences.
As with each en primeur vintage, all the wines are purchased directly from the estate. Each en primeur wine will be delivered to you as soon as it leaves the estate's cellars.
