Château Margaux 2018

Of great aromatic discretion, yet impeccably pure and very promising; elegant right from the attack; precisely defined, with tannins whose touch of pleasant bitterness brings freshness; long finish with fruity and finely spiced accents, generous yet true to its style.

The 2018 Château Margaux is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, representing 36% of the crop this year. The wine has a pH of 3.8 and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal tantalizing scents of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and Black Forest cake with hints of redcurrant jelly, rose oil, dark chocolate and cedar chest plus a touch of star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit, fragrant earth and floral layers, supported by a rock-solid structure of exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless backbone of freshness, finishing with fantastic length. This is classic Margaux at its most seductive, although it is, rather amazingly, approachable and absolutely delicious right now. But, to enjoy its full glory, you will want to cellar it for at least 6-8 years and then watch it metamorphize over the next 40+ years.

This is extremely powerful, with high tannin levels that are beautifully velvety and a real presence that is going to need a good 15 years before it softens. There are layers and layers of subtlety here, charcoal, earth, fresh acidity – a ton of serious character that needs time to inch towards opening. Grips on like a limpet – this needs a good half an hour in the glass to even begin to open, but as it does so you clearly see the finesse and precision of the fruit construction. Exceptionally good. 3.64 pH, 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend, 36% of the harvest in the first wine. Bottled mid-September.

The 2018 Château Margaux was observed over a period of 24 hours. I used the word “luxurious” to describe the nose when I encountered this First Growth from barrel, and it’s still apt to use now the wine is in bottle. It just blossoms over time, revealing gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, crushed violet and peony, and hints of shucked oyster shells, all delivered with the precision one expects from a first-division Claret. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, still as silky-smooth as ever, offering blood-orange-infused black fruit that is crystalline on the finish. You almost miss the structure behind this Château Margaux that should ensure it will age over the next three or four decades. Utterly sublime.

Perfectly poised between opulent and refined, rich and elegant, this is a beautiful example of Chateau Margaux with intense notes of lilacs, violets, cigar box, red fruits and espresso. The palate has concentration, but there is also freshness and depth of flavor, so the silky textured wine is light on its feet and effortless to drink. The seamless finish provides great energy, soft, silky tannins and a gorgeous sense of purity to the fruit that does not want to quit. Made from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, 14% ABV.

Dark ruby garnet, opaque core, purple reflections and fine watery rim. Sweet tobacco on the nose with juicy dark berry fruit, delicate cassis and liquorice, fine noble wood and underlying red berry notes. Opens up nicely in the glass. Juicy, ripe cherry, blackberry conserve, silky, supporting tannins, red berry notes and beautifully fresh with salty minerality. This has already reached an approachably seductive early phase, but has definite ageing potential. (Drinking window: 2020-2070.)

Based on 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Château Margaux is a magical, incredibly sexy expression of this Château that sports a dense purple color as well as a thrilling bouquet of blueberries, cassis, acacia flowers, scorched earth, sandalwood, and violets. Incredibly concentrated and full-bodied on the palate, it nevertheless has an almost Burgundian sense of finesse and elegance, with an ethereal texture, silky yet massive amounts of tannins, notable freshness, and brilliant length. The alcohol hit a whopping 14%, which is high by this estate's standards, but everything is flawlessly integrated, the balance is perfect, and I certainly can't find anything that could be better. This 2018 is going to be relatively drinkable at an early age (do your best to hide bottles for 7-8 years) yet last for 75+.

Garnet with a ruby rim. What a Margaux delicacy: it starts almost shyly, so delicate and fine-boned, with a hint of wild cherries and dried rosemary; after a few minutes of air, the model athlete gathers pace, as layers build: red plums, a delicate touch of dried banana, Dominican tobacco and noble cassis spice emerge. On the sublime palate, silky in texture, supported by a ripe tannin framework, with majestic astringency and a straight, taut line; there is incredible depth and concentration here, but also finesse and tension. In the complex finish it first slims down, then catapults into a long-lasting aftertaste with small black berries, dark terroir spice, exotic precious woods and walnut notes. As everything here is in wonderful harmony and impressive balance, I can do nothing but award the highest score! It ranks alongside the great vintages 1990 and 2010.

Kunz barrel sample 19: (90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 31 hl/ha, 14% vol. alcohol). Mineral, concentrated, complex, fresh bouquet—plum, apricot, cassis, flint, smoke, slate, tobacco, fine woods, graphite. Concentrated, layered, aromatic, powerful, elegant palate with plenty of fine tannins, concentrated and varied aromatics, a muscular yet elegant structure, and a very long, powerful, creamy finish.

(90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 31 hl/ha, 14% vol. alcohol) Mineral, concentrated, complex, fresh bouquet: plums, apricots, cassis, flint, smoke, slate, tobacco, fine woods, graphite. Concentrated, layered, aromatic, powerful and elegant palate with a lot of fine tannin, concentrated, varied aromatics, a muscular yet elegant structure, and a very long, powerful, creamy finish. 20/20 2026 - 2060

Chateau Margaux 2018 is deep garnet-purple in color. It wafts gently out of the glass with notes of Morello cherries, black raspberries, and cassis, plus suggestions of cedar, black olives, and charcoal, with a touch of wood smoke. Medium-bodied, the palate is very refreshing and finely knit with exquisitely ripe tannins and so many delicate layers, finishing with epic length.

With notes of black fruit and white pepper, it shows impressive concentration, perfectly managed by the wine’s silkiness. Wrapped in silky tannins, it unfolds an impressive finish that lasts well over a minute and leaves a fresh impression.

A great deal of subtlety and elegance in the bouquet of Château Margaux 2018. It reveals itself slowly, with finesse, showing a pleasant varietal freshness with nuances of eucalyptus followed by a touch of cinnamon. There is a good harmony of raspberry and blackberry notes, a hint of prunes, and a little licorice. On the palate, the wine is precise and expansive. It is worth noting that it has the highest tannin index ever recorded at Château Margaux. The result is an elegant, silky yet powerful texture, thanks to perfectly integrated tannins. A balanced, subtle, elegant wine. I find raspberry and licorice notes on the finish. Persistent finale.

The nose is fruity, elegant, and offers power (controlled/refined), intensity (controlled), a fine grain, as well as subtlety and complexity. It reveals notes of ripe wild blackberry, wild strawberry and, more lightly, violet, combined with touches of ripe wild red berries, purple plum, as well as very discreet hints of Sichuan pepper and an imperceptible hint of green cardamom. The palate is fruity, fresh, elegant, delicate, and offers energy, lovely racy minerality, subtlety, richness, energy, suppleness, as well as finesse-driven richness, roundness, and a slight glycerol feel. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy raspberry, juicy blackcurrant and, more lightly, purple plum, combined with touches of juicy/fresh red berries, racy minerality, cardamom, toasty notes, tonka bean, as well as a subtle hint of lily, bergamot, toasted almond, and a subtle hint of caramelized hazelnut. The tannins are precise, elegant, and supple. A lovely finish with discreet touches of tonka bean.

Dark, intense, purple color. A beautiful, highly aromatic nose—refined, fruity, and pure. Precise on the attack yet supple, the wine unfolds juicy and powerful. It shifts between the mid-palate and the finish, gaining in power, much more than it sometimes does. Only in the very last seconds does it recover all its delicacy. Persistent with a fine-grained texture. Let us remember that this is one of the Château Margaux with the highest tannic richness. Built for long aging.

97–99. Barrel Sample. It is impressive how the serious structure of this wine has been totally absorbed by the depth of fruit. A dense black currant flavor and bright acidity are balanced by the core of dark tannins and an overall richness. Currently, the end is dominated with tannins that will allow the wine to age.