Château Marquis de Terme 2018

Has not lost any of the class already noted en primeur: of absolute Margaux elegance, dazzling polish, and great length; crafted with such precision that you can already taste it now, yet with the potential for long aging: even bottled, it remains one of the year’s Best Buys!

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Marquis de Terme comes skipping out of the glass with bright, cheery notes of kirsch, black raspberries and blackcurrant pastilles, followed by hints of aniseed, damp soil and bouquet garni. The medium-bodied palate is delicately styled with just 13% declared alcohol and plenty of youthful, dried herbs accenting red and black fruits, supported by approachable, chewy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with a lively lift. It's a great example of a fresher style for this vintage.

Fresh and racy in feel, with a zip of acidity driving through the middle, lending support to the mix of blackberry, plum and cassis flavors. Dried anise, alder and lilac accents add range on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2034. 12,165 cases made.

Here the balance of the alcohol-fruit-tannin register really shows how well handled this wine is. Waves of flavour with cigar box right off the first nose, vanilla bean, aromatically rich with a gourmet twist; you get the richness and exoticism of the vintage but it has Margaux class and freshness. Lovely.

Perfumed and polished aromas of stewed blackcurrants, cherries, cloves, dark chocolate, lavender and musk. It’s full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Sleek, refined finish. Pretty strength with elegance. Try from 2024.

The 2018 Marquis de Terme is a promising wine. The aromatics are quite expressive while the palate is pliant and racy. At the same time, those components feel like they each live in their own little worlds, which leaves the wine feeling disjointed. Hopefully, time in bottle will help things come together.

Smoke, black raspberries, espresso, wet earth, truffle, plum and currants create a fabulous nose. Lush, silky, polished, soft and sweet, the fruit tastes as good as it feels on the palate and in the finish.

Strong ruby, purple reflections, discreet brightening on the rim. Inviting red cherry and plum fruit, delicate herbal savouriness and a hint of noble wood in the background. Juicy and elegant with fine fruit sweetness, integrated, fine tannins, pronounced cherry fruit, but also blackberry on the finish which has a savoury note. Good ageing potential. (2020-2040)

Intense dark purple colour. Pure and floral nose offering violet, cassis, blackberry, sage and mint. Rather ample palate, dense fruit but modest extraction, supple tannin, fresh dark fruit flavours, Kirsch, tobacco and a long velvety finish. Elegant and almost Burgundian texture.

The 2018 Château Marquis De Terme also showed better than on release. Based on 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, it has a ripe, round, medium- to full-bodied profile as well as gorgeous currant and mulberry fruits supported by ample chocolate, truffle, and leafy, herb-like aromas and flavors. The tannins here are beautiful, and it has an expansive mouthfeel and a great finish. It’s another beautiful wine that I’d be thrilled to drink any time over the coming 15–20 years.

Kunz barrel sample 19: fresh, elegant, mineral, finely complex bouquet, red and blue berries, mint, cedar, fine currants, vanilla powder. Densely interwoven, delicate palate with airy, fresh aromatics, fine tannins, elegant, creamy structure, powerful, refined aromatics, long, fresh finish.

Fresh, elegant, mineral, finely complex bouquet, red and blue berries, mint, cedar, subtle currants, vanilla powder. Densely knit, finely structured palate with airy, fresh aromatics, fine tannins, elegant, creamy texture, powerful yet delicate aromatics, long, fresh finish. 18/20 2025 - 2050

This is an estate that is located right in the heart of the appellation near to Cantenac Brown and Rauzan Ségla, and yet remains discreet. It really delivers in 2018, with cigar box, grilled cedar and vanilla bean, marrying the exuberance of the vintage but keeping Margaux freshness and balance. Tasted at a vertical of the estate in June, and again over the summer.

The 2018 Marquis de Terme is deep garnet-purple in color. It has open-knit scents of prunes and fruitcake, with wafts of Sichuan pepper, new leather, and unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, it is chewy and spicy on the palate, with soft acidity and good length.

Very lovely wine, with a delicate texture, attractive fruit, and elegant style, refined. Likely good value for money.

Logo on the cork: DIAM30

In this wine, black fruits and tannins give both a dry core and a rich texture that is already beautifully integrated with the fruit. Fresh acidity adds to the wine's attractiveness and aging potential. Drink from 2026.