2015 Clos Margalaine
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Tasting notes
50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon from just four hectares of deep, gravelly soils located between the estates of Le Tertre and Monbrison. The grapes for this second wine came from 25-year-old vines and were hand-picked in very small quantities. Vinification in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks, then ageing in new French oak barriques (30%), one-year-old barrels (30%) and stainless-steel vats. Winemakers Muriel Andraud and Jean-Luc Thunevin of Château Valandraud although Philippe Porcheron signs the back label. TA 3.5 g/l , pH 3.57, RS 0.3 g/l . Vegan. Natural cork. Bottle weight 420 g. Available in up to 100 shops. Lively deep crimson. Polished texture and real richness. Hints of Margaux silkiness though it’s a bit punchier than that. Proper bordeaux with quite a long finish but just a little bitterness on the end. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Clos Margalaine was superb from barrel, but is less impressive from bottle. Why? There is plenty of texture and depth, but my impression is that the 2015 may have spent too much time in oak and would have retained more freshness had it been bottled earlier. Even so, there is plenty of sumptuousness to the sweet red cherry, pomegranate, mint and rose petal flavors. The blend is 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted three times.
The 2015 Clos Margalaine is medium garnet-purple in color with a nose of baked berries, warm cherries and fruitcake with touches of bay leaves and dusty earth. The medium-bodied palate is a bit chewy and astringent with stewed tea and earthy notions.
Run by Philippe Porcheron, who purchased this estate in 1999, Clos Margalaine consists of four hectares of deep, gravelly soils located between the estates of Le Tertre and Monbrison, and they receive consulting advice from Christophe Coupez and Michel Rolland. The 2015 Clos Margalaine is another beautiful Margaux and is a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It boasts medium-bodied, elegant, perfumed notes of black raspberries (maybe even some strawberry), spring flowers, toasted spices, and forest floor. About as fine and elegant as they come, yet with plenty of balance and length, it’s a gem from one of the top appellations in 2015. It will keep for 10-15 years.