CHATEAU MARGAUX 1er Grand Cru Classe Margaux 2023 Wooden Case x 3 Bottles - PRE-RELEASE

Description

THE WINE ADVOCATE (95-97)
Reviewed by: William Kelley
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.

Philippe Bascaules describes the 2023 vintage as "another hot, dry year" at Château Margaux but one characterized by regular rains and comparatively overcast skies. Picking began on September 11 and concluded on October 5. Some fruit was lost to sunburn in the late-season heat wave, and removing those berries during harvest took time (sorting remains entirely manual at this estate, performed by the pickers in the vineyards). Some lots, especially Merlot, were very rich in juice and thus saw a saignée of up to 15%. It's also the first vintage in organic conversion at this address.

JAMES SUCKLING ***** 99-100 Points
18 Apr, 2024 – 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.

DECANTER 98
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle (at Bordeaux, 10 Apr 2024) Part of Best Margaux 2023 wines tasted en primeur
Drinking Window: 2034 - 2058
Quite a herbal nose, full of blackcurrant leaf and bramble fruit, dark chocolate, violets - subtle, not shouting, but interesting. Round and ripe, a nice weight in the mouth, silky, but also like crushed velvet, mouthwatering acidity, so juicy and clean, a lovely texture in the mouth. Not chewy at all, but there’s depth here, a cushioning to the palate with incredible juiciness. Charming, gentle yet lively. It's is just so appealing but this will benefit from oak ageing too. Carefully made, tannins are wonderful and the acidity doesn’t stick out. You also don’t sense the heat, but the fruit is ripe, with freshness all the way through. A wonderful wine in 2023. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend with 4% Cabernet Franc, the highest percentage ever in the blend. 41% grand vin production. 3.6pH, 15% press. Officially certified organic as of 2023. Ageing 100% new oak, 18 months.

JANE ANSON 98
VINOUS 97-100

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