Chateau Margaux 2019

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Is the 2019 Château Margaux the wine of the vintage? A strong case in its favor could certainly be made. Soaring from the glass with aromas of blackberries, raspberries, rose petals, violets, pencil shavings and vine smoke, it's full-bodied, layered and sensual, with a strikingly vibrant core of fruit that's framed by ripe, powdery tannins and bright acids, concluding with a penetrating, mouthwateringly saline finish of almost interminable duration. Complex, elegant and utterly compelling, this is a brilliant Bordeaux that anyone with the requisite disposable income is going to want to own."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Amazing aromas of crushed stones and wet soil with fresh mushrooms, then going on to violets and other flowers. Dark fruit, too. Full-bodied, yet agile and fine, with a linear flow of tannins that run through the center of palate. The finesse of the tannins is exceptional, like raw silk and changing all the time. Cool and energetic, yet reserved. Zen-like. 37% of the production and 90% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. So well balanced that you can drink it now, but this is one to leave for a decade and more. Ethereal."

WEINWISSER: "90 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 % Merlot, 2 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot, 13,9 %-vol., 37 % der Ernte. Purpur mit rubinrotem Rand. Ein royales Parfüm nach schwarzen Johannisbeeren, Sandelholz und Brasiltabak. Im zweiten Ansatz Brombeeren, Sternanis und verführerischer Irisduft. Am königlichen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, kakaoartigem Tannin und perfekt stützender Rasse, die der Delikatesse Halt und Länge gibt. Im gebündelten, nicht enden wollenden Finale ein Feuerwerk von kleinen schwarzen Beeren, Graphitspuren, dunkler tiefgründiger Terroirwürze; die perfekte Symbiose aus beeindruckender Balance und der eindrücklichen Intensität der Rasse katapultiert den Wein auf den 1. Platz in der Appellation! Erinnert stark an den Jahrgang 2009 mit einem Tick mehr Frische und an 1996 aufgrund der perfekten Cabernet-Reife!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "Another utterly heavenly wine from this estate is the 2019 Château Margaux, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot coming from a selection of just 37% of the total production. Deep purple, with an incredible array of ripe currants, blueberries, sweet tobacco, sandalwood, and toasted spices, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, powerful, yet incredibly sexy mouthfeel, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. As I wrote in the barrel review, it reminds me slightly of the 2016, but has a touch more sun-kissed profile. It already offers incredible pleasure yet deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will blow you away any time over the coming 40+ years."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Chateau Margaux is deep garnet-purple in color. Classic scents of cassis, plum preserves, pencil shavings, and wild sage leap on the nose, followed by suggestions of underbrush, truffles, and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegant and fresh, with firm, grainy tannins and an amazingly long savory finish. Forget this in the cellar for 6-8 years, then watch it produce fireworks for the following 40-years+."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This could be the most sensual vintage of Chateau Margaux ever produced. The palate is pure silk and velvet with an incredible sense of purity and refinement. Utterly seamless, the wine glides over your palate builds, lingers, and expands for well over 60 seconds. If you have ample disposable income, buy this wine, it will be a legendary wine in the years to come. Drink from 2029-2065."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feines Cassis, schwarze Kirschen, ein Hauch von Lakritze, Nuancen von Zedern und Weihrauch, exotische Hölzer, kandierte Veilchen im Hintergrund, kandierte Mandarinenzesten. Saftig, elegant, reife schwarze Herzkirschen, runde, integrierte Tannine, feines Nougat, angenehme Säurestruktur, mineralisch und sehr fein verwoben, zeigt Eleganz und Länge, verfügt über eine unglaubliche Textur und Komplexität, seidigen Körper und überzeugende Länge. Einfach delikat."

DECANTER: "A stunning, monumental Margaux, this has all the power, concentration and class expected of a First Growth. Cool on the palate with an emerging floral bouquet after a few minutes swirling in the glass, Asian spices also appear, supported by ultra-fine tannin and beautifully managed, subtle oak. Dark red-fruits abound with fantastic purity on the palate, remarkable length to finish. 37% of production went into the Grand Vin. A vin-de-garde which has years ahead of it but is already promising so much."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The structure of the wine is magnificent. With its dense concentration and ripeness, the wine is still just starting out. The wine's texture is rich, firm while also smooth. Drink from 2027."

WINE SPECTATOR: " Pretty gorgeous, with a cashmere feel right from the get-go as pure, unadulterated cassis, plum reduction and blackberry preserve notes sail through. The finish is laced with alluring red and black tea, violet, incense and savory notes, with a subtle mineral hint lingering to the very end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038. 10,833 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. A rather weak rim to the crimson. Light nose. Lots of sweet palate entry but without quite the drama or concentration of some. Angostura-bitters element to the flavour. Lots of tannin underneath. Not quite as thrilling as some. And pretty angular at present."