Chateau Margaux 2013

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "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."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A firm and tight Margaux with structure and elegance. Full bodied and tight. Lovely silky tannins and layers of texture and flavor. Currant and chocolate undertones. 94% cabernet sauvignon, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot."

WEINWISSER: "94 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot – also kein Merlot! 22 hl/ha. Tiefes Purpur. Das Bouquet zeigt eine feine, pflaumige Süsse, unterlegt mit Edelhölzern und dunklen Rosen. Dominikanischer Tabak und feine Malzspuren, welche das Bouquet abbinden. Im Gaumen feinfüllig mit elegant stützender Adstringenz, im Innern mit floralen, aber doch reifen Cabernetnoten, schwarzer Pfeffer, Brombeeren und Lakritze, langes Finale. Ein kleines Wunder in einem so extrem schwierigen Jahr, was die Theorie der rettenden Superterroirs erklärt. Normalerweise macht ja der Merlot eine süssliche Prise Erotik im Blend – jetzt ist es halt ein sensationelles Cabernet-Steak ohne Sauce."

DECANTER: "Lovely fragrant nose; floral-sweet, the perfume of Margaux. A textbook Margaux with a hint of Musigny, all delicacy and purity with an undeniable sense of place. Drinking Window 2018 - 2035"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "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."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2013 Château Margaux has an attractive bouquet that compared to fellow recent vintages appears earthy in style (as it appeared in barrel), offering a mixture of black and red fruit, bay leaf and cedar. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes through strongly - no surprise given that there is 97% of the final blend! The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a pleasing seam of acidity. It is not the greatest Château Margaux that the late Paul Pontallier ever made, but it is commendable for the vintage and there is a sense of harmony and composure towards the finish with hints of black pepper and mint lingering on the aftertaste. Enjoy this over the next 15 years, though I am not sure it has the substance to warrant maturation for a longer period."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is velvety and suave, with alluring fresh plum, sleek cassis and warmed raspberry coulis flavors that are nicely melded together, picking up rooibos tea, singed sandalwood and mineral accents through the lovely finish. Refined and approachable already, but has enough range and length for cellaring. A wine of style. Best from 2017 through 2025."