2023 Château Margaux En Primeur
"Margaux is the least showy of the First Growths, but it is often the most refined. The 2023 is sublime. 97-100 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com
Released this morning for sale en primeur, 2023 Château Margaux is offered at £2,160 per six bottles and receives potential 100-point scores from Galloni and Suckling. The quotation from Galloni above neatly sums up our experience of tasting the 2023. At the very top-level estates, we tasted some thrilling wines in Bordeaux in April, but Margaux is still in a class of its own, understated but with a magnificent composure and grace that is completely unique.
When we asked Margaux's MD Philippe Bascaules about vintage comparisons, he likened the style of the 2023 to some of the best vintages of the '90s (he began working at the estate in 1990). At 13% abv, it certainly has a classical feel, but the intensity on the palate and precision of flavour is very contemporary. Discussing the 2023, Bascaules' focus was all on the work in the vineyard. Margaux's vast team of 250 pickers had their work cut out, using infinite care over selection for an extended period, to achieve this level of finesse.
Also released this morning are the deuxième vin, Pavillon Rouge, at £720 per six bottles, and Margaux's extraordinary white wine, Pavillon Blanc du Margaux, at £1440 per six. This is a much riper, more opulent white wine than some recent vintages of Pavillon Blanc, perfectly balanced by its acidity and with potential to develop further richness with age.
We expect high demand for 2023 Château Margaux, which is offered on allocation.
Offered en primeur, on allocation. Landing spring 2026.
Magnums available with £20 ex-VAT bottling surcharge per six, please enquire for other formats.
All previous offers of 2023 Bordeaux can be found here.
To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château Margaux, Margaux
Château Margaux is a Premier Grand Cru Classé located in the commune of Margaux. It was first recorded an a manor in 1152, known as “La Mothe de Margaux”, La Mothe meaning 'mound'. In the 16th century it was owned by the Lestonnac family, who converted the estate from growing grain to vines. By the end of the 17th century the estate had reached its current size of 265 hectares, with a third of this dedicated to vine growing.
Margaux's winemaker at the end of the 18th century was named Berlon. He introduced many winemaking practices which influenced the entire region, such as not harvesting in the early morning when there was dew on the grapes (to avoid dilution) and identifying particular terroirs across the estate.
The estate was confiscated during the revolution but in 1810 it was acquired by the Marquis de la Colonilla, who had the distinctive neo-Palladian château built by architect Louis Combes. This was an early example of a grand but purpose-built château, constructed with the cellars and winery as part of the design, a sign of how seriously winemaking was taken by this stage. The practice of bottling a second wine was also first introduced at Margaux, with Pavillon de Margaux having been formally in existence since 1906.
Post-WWII, Margaux was owned by the Ginestet family, who struggled after the 1973 oil crisis and were eventually forced to sell in 1977 to Greek supermarket magnate Andre Mentzelopoulos. When he died in 1980, his daughter Corinne took over, aged just 27, but was assisted by oenologist Emile Peynaud. In 1983 Paul Pontallier joined as estate manager, working with Mentzelopoulos to transform quality here until his death in 2016.
A new winery was constructed in 2015 by Lord Norman Foster. Philippe Bascules succceded Pontallier as Managing Director, having joined the estate in 1990. Corinne's daughter Alexandre Petit-Mentzelopoulos is also involved in the running of the estate as Deputy General Manager.
The 82 hectares of vineyards are planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Farmed organically since 2017, the estate is also trialling biodynamics.
| RED | 2023 | Château Margaux | 75cl | £2,160 per case of 6 | Château Margaux 2023 / / 75cl £2,160 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2023 Château Margaux shows considerable promise, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, violets, spring flowers and sweet tobacco, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's taut, concentrated and classically structured, with sweet, refined tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. It's a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that attained 13% alcohol. 95-97 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Vibrant peony and ruby red colour, this hums with movement and energy through the palate, a complex bloom of lavendar and white rose flowers, fresh and dense at the same time. Classical Margaux, with the savoury quality of the best wines of the year, a ton of fine tannins with a reserved sculpted architecture. The drinkability of this vintage is such a welcome return, and this is exceptionally good quality, and a real pleasure to taste. Superb winemaking from Philippe Bascaules. 41hl/h yield (compared to 25hl/h last year), 41% of the production in this 1st wine. 98 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Chateau Margaux, accounting for 41% of this year's crop, is deep garnet-purple in color. A little shy to begin, it needs some swirling before notes of black cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, and anise emerge from the glass, leading to suggestions of fragrant soil, lilacs, and cardamom with a touch of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted, with fabulous tension creating an exhilarating sense of energy in the mouth, offset by firm fine-grained tannins to support the vibrant red and black berry layers, finishing long and perfumed. So fragrant and graceful, this could only be Chateau Margaux! The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.60. "There is a little more Cabernet Franc this year. More and more has been making it into the First Wine. We have been grafting over some vines to Cabernet Franc and planting more." 97-99 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2023 Château Margaux, which contains 15% vin de presse, is quintessential Château Margaux. It immediately blossoms in the glass with irresistible crushed violets on the nose, instantly demanding attention—you will gladly give it. Exquisitely defined and very focused with supremely well integrated oak, this is blessed with laser-like precision. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, perhaps a little feistier than expected thanks to a liberal sprinkling of black pepper. Quite structured (like the Pavillon Rouge) and gentle, you can almost overlook its grip. It finishes with a concentrated, graphite-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. This First Growth will require ten years in bottle to really show what it is capable of. 97-99 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Château Margaux is fabulous. Sensual, silky and exceptionally polished, the 2023 Château Margaux is shaping up to be a classic. Seamless, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red/purplish fruit. Hints of spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and rose petal fill out the glass. There's a bit of new oak peeking through today, but that won't be an issue in a few years' time. Only Bordeaux can produce wines that offer so much flavor intensity at a low alcohols. Margaux is the least showy of the First Growths, but it is often the most refined. The 2023 is sublime. 97-100 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The aromas in this young Margaux are so primary, reminding me of grape must fermenting in the vat, then turning to perfumes and flowers. Violets and roses. Full-bodied but it comes across as so agile and bright, with vivid acidity that makes the wine crunchy and linear. As Alexis, one of the owners of Margaux said, this really shows the DNA of the estate. Weightless. One of the wines of the vintage. 3.6 pH. Blend of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 99-100 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| WHITE | 2023 | Château Margaux - Pavillon Blanc du Margaux | 75cl | £1,440 per case of 6 | Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc du Margaux 2023 / / 75cl £1,440 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2023 Pavillon Blanc was picked from August 23 to 30 during the heat wave, so the fruit was picked only in the morning. The yield clocked in at 37hL/ha. It has a crisp nose with green apples, nettle and grass clippings, perhaps not as complex as I expected. The palate is well balanced with touches of melon and orange rind on the entry. Modest in depth and quite fresh with a touch of lemongrass, it is a fine and comparatively opulent Pavillon Blanc, even if I would not place it on the mantelpiece with the great vintages in recent years. 88-90 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Blanc is quite powerful in this vintage, marked by a combination of creamy, textured fruit, bright acids and an almost phenolic feel that adds pseudo-tannic structure. I imagine the 2023 will need a few years in bottle. Pavillon Blanc is usually more immediate and racier, but the 2023 looks like more of a long-distance runner. Lemon confit, almond and white flowers unfurl in the glass. 2025-2035 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Blanc from Château Margaux, harvested during the morning hours of the August 23-30 heatwave, possesses a deep, complex bouquet of spring flowers, lemon oil, ripe orchard fruits, lemongrass and sweet gooseberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and concentrated palate that's animated by lively acids, concluding with a long, taut, delicately phenolic finish. This bottling amounts to only 45% of the entire crop, the rest being relegated to a second wine. 93-95 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of fresh grapefruit, pineapple, and white peaches leading to hints of honeysuckle, orange blossom, and coriander seed with a waft of yuzu. The medium-bodied palate has vivacious citrus and tropical fruit flavors with a racy backbone and long chalky finish. This is delicious! The yield was 37 hl/ha and the pH 3.15. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"White peach flesh on the opening gives an opulent start that quickly narrows inwards to flint and steel. An exceptional white wine, with sculpted charm, showcasing citrus, lime zest, green apple, anis and sage. Harvest August 23 to 30, yields 37hl/h compared to 15h/h in 2022. 96 points" janeanson.com------"This is quite a big Pavillon Blanc with sliced pineapple, ripe apple, lemon and stone. It's full-bodied, layered and phenolic with a ripe sense to it, but then it’s citrusy and salty. Like fresh oysters. Reminds me of vintages from the 1980s, but with more freshness and clarity. 100% sauvignon blanc. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2023 | Château Margaux - Pavillon Rouge du Margaux | 75cl | £720 per case of 6 | Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge du Margaux 2023 / / 75cl £720 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Representing 30% of the crop, the 2023 Pavillon Rouge has a very pure and floral bouquet, with crushed violets and blue fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins and moderate depth, quite linear and structured in style with white pepper and a touch of brine on the saline finish. There’s good length, even if it’s missing the amplitude of the previous vintage. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Rouge is a deep, intense wine. Bright acids drive a core of dark red-toned fruit, spice and flowers. There's a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, which makes structural elements stand out, but the tannins are on the lower side analytically. I would give this a few years to come together. Pavillon Rouge represents 30% of the château's production. 2025-2043 90-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"An aromatic punch of white and red roses, feels very much in the DNA of the estate, with perfume, richly nuanced cassis, bilberry, tobacco leaf, cigar box. Fine tannins, with energy and clear - and this is a 2nd wine that elevates the possibilities of the 2023 vintage. September 11 through to October 5 for harvest, 30% of the production in Pavillon. 93 points" janeanson.com------"Somewhat reminiscent of a cooler-fruited version of the lovely 2019, Château Margaux's 2023 Pavillon Rouge wafts from the glass with aromas of cassis, raspberries, licorice and pipe tobacco, deftly framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a sweet core of fruit, ripe tannins and a lively, succulent profile, it's a blend 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.3% alcohol. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux accounts for 30% of this year's production. Deep garnet-purple in color, it pops from the glass with vibrant notes of red and black currants followed by hints of rosebud tea, crushed rocks, dried Provence herbs, and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate delivers an impressive mid-palate of ripe, juicy red and black berry flavors with soft fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing with a spicy lift. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.60. 92-94+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Very Chateau Margaux, with perfumed violets, currants and other berries, as well as oranges. Medium body with fine, caressing tannins that are tight and vivid. Racy and refined. Brightness and beauty to this second wine. Succulent. Refined. One of the best Pavillon Rouges in a while. 30% of the production. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
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