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Tasting Notes

Tasting notes
Score 94/100 · Charles Curtis MW, Decanter, Jul 2023

Surprisingly dark colour and the aromas are still reasonably youthful, with notes of pomegranate and raspberry shaded with cedar and smoke. The feel on the palate is light in body and somewhat astringent, with fresh acidity and moderate length. Ultimately, the wine is not lacking ripeness but is a decidedly lighter style and not for long ageing. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The cool, wet 2002 growing season was derided early on by observers, including myself, but this is a thoroughly pleasant wine.

Critic Scores

Critic scores
93
93/100

Average Score

92
92+/100

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

93
93/100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

More reviews and scores

93 points
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
Score 93/100 · Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider, May 2014

From a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, this medium bodied wine is perhaps slightly more interesting on the nose than the palate. The pleasurable floral, cherry, tobacco, leaf and earthy nose lead you to a wine with some rusticity in the tannins in the crisp finish. More time could soften the wine, but I am not willing to bet the farm on it. If you were lucky like me and bought the wine as a future in 2003 for about $80 US dollars, you did great. But in today's world, there are better wines to buy.

92 points
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
Score 92/100 · James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, Dec 2013

This has hit its stride fully now, with a lightly mulled edge to the core of plum and blackberry fruit, while dark tea and singed iron notes fill in through the finish. Lovely and lingering dark perfume and charcoal hints gild the finish. -- Non-blind Château Margaux vertical

17 points
Jancis Robinson MW
Score 17/20 · Jancis Robinson MW, Nov 2012

Crimson with a slightly pale rim. Buckwheat nose. Quite skinny and with marked acidity. This wine initially had a note that was almost green and underripe. Not that long. But it opened out a little in the glass and was the most improved wine after 24 hours in the decanter. It became a little more voluptuous and might have earned a score of 17.5.

About the producer

Château Margaux - producer
Château Margaux

Ch. Margaux is one of Bordeaux’s most historic and famous estates. The only classified First Growth in Margaux, it epitomises the appellation’s elegance, while producing wines with fantastic ageing potential.

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