Margaux 2008

Margaux, First Growth

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Tasting Notes
This is a stunning Chateau Margaux, made in a sexy, up-front, elegant style, with deep creme de cassis fruit intermixed with spring flowers, a solid inner core of richness and depth, but again, very sweet tannins as well as striking minerality and elegance. One of the most seductive Chateau Margauxs given its recent bottling, this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot should drink beautifully for the next 25-30 years. Remarkably, a mere 36% of the entire production was selected for the 2008 Chateau Margaux. Score: 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2041 03 May 2011
This is a superb vintage for Chateau Margaux, and while it may be too early to say this, the 2008 appears superior to the 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001. Only 36% of the crop was utilized and the yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. An exceptionally late harvest for this estate began on October 3 for the Merlot, and finished on October 23. The final blend includes a whoppingly high 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As always, the first characteristic one notices is the extraordinary floral component as well as the sweet black currant fruit allied to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and superb freshness and delineation. In many ways, the 2008 is reminiscent of the 1996, but the former wine is showing even more density and concentration than the 1996 did at the same point in its evolution. The 2008, which appears set for 30-40 years of longevity, is a remarkable effort from this great estate. Score: 95 - 97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2009
A tangy style, with lots of grilled herb, dried bay leaf and damson plum notes laced with extra roasted cedar and mesquite on the finish. Opens slowly, very slowly, to show more layers of flesh, mulled cherry and spice, with a lingering sanguine note developing on the finish. Needs patience. Best from 2013 through 2019. Score: 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2013-2019 01 January 2011
Bottled in early July and tasted with Paul Pontallier at the estate, the Chateau Margaux consists of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. It has a delicate bouquet of dark berried fruit, wild strawberry, a touch of cedar: a lesson in clarity more the intensity. Unwinds nicely in the glass though with touches of violet developing. The palate is medium-bodied, taciturn at first, but there is certainly immense precision and focus on the back palate. Filigree tannins as usual, refined and poised on the finish, though not the persistency of say 2009 or 2006 as one would expect. This is a very lovely wine, but not a first class Chateau Margaux given their impeccable record. Drink 2013-2035. Tasted October 2010 Score: 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2013-2035 01 January 2011
A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot with 1.5% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this has a comparatively introspective nose of black fruits, sous-bois, a touch of cigar box and a little graphite. Like the Pavillon, it has something of a Pauillac austerity to it. The palate is medium-bodied, very fine tannins, sensuous texture, less floral than usual, more broody and introspective, but understated and elegant on the finish. There is more tangible sous-bois character than usual, an enigmatic Château Margaux that could benefit from more depth and length. Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2009
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. Bright crimson. Rather opulent on the nose - hints of tobacco - and a little more burly and savoury than usual, perhaps because of less Merlot flesh. Dry start with the same backbone as the Pavillon Rouge. Firm, very fine tannins. No shortage of acidity. Mainly structure at the moment. Very clean but very youthful. Great freshness. Purity but I do feel we are tasting this too young. It should take on a bit more flesh. Very straight backed. Very fresh. Very embryonic. (17.5+ Points) Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2035 08 May 2009
Currant, blackberry and mineral aromas lead to a solid core of fruit, with fine tannins and a long, clean finish. Refined and very, very pretty. Score: 90 - 93 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2009

Tasting Notes

This is a stunning Chateau Margaux, made in a sexy, up-front, elegant style, with deep creme de cassis fruit intermixed with spring flowers, a solid inner core of richness and depth, but again, very sweet tannins as well as striking minerality and elegance. One of the most seductive Chateau Margauxs given its recent bottling, this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot should drink beautifully for the next 25-30 years. Remarkably, a mere 36% of the entire production was selected for the 2008 Chateau Margaux.

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2041 03 May 2011

This is a superb vintage for Chateau Margaux, and while it may be too early to say this, the 2008 appears superior to the 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001. Only 36% of the crop was utilized and the yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. An exceptionally late harvest for this estate began on October 3 for the Merlot, and finished on October 23. The final blend includes a whoppingly high 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As always, the first characteristic one notices is the extraordinary floral component as well as the sweet black currant fruit allied to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and superb freshness and delineation. In many ways, the 2008 is reminiscent of the 1996, but the former wine is showing even more density and concentration than the 1996 did at the same point in its evolution. The 2008, which appears set for 30-40 years of longevity, is a remarkable effort from this great estate.

Score: 95 - 97

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2009

A tangy style, with lots of grilled herb, dried bay leaf and damson plum notes laced with extra roasted cedar and mesquite on the finish. Opens slowly, very slowly, to show more layers of flesh, mulled cherry and spice, with a lingering sanguine note developing on the finish. Needs patience. Best from 2013 through 2019.

Score: 91

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2013-2019 01 January 2011

Bottled in early July and tasted with Paul Pontallier at the estate, the Chateau Margaux consists of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. It has a delicate bouquet of dark berried fruit, wild strawberry, a touch of cedar: a lesson in clarity more the intensity. Unwinds nicely in the glass though with touches of violet developing. The palate is medium-bodied, taciturn at first, but there is certainly immense precision and focus on the back palate. Filigree tannins as usual, refined and poised on the finish, though not the persistency of say 2009 or 2006 as one would expect. This is a very lovely wine, but not a first class Chateau Margaux given their impeccable record. Drink 2013-2035. Tasted October 2010

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2013-2035 01 January 2011

A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot with 1.5% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this has a comparatively introspective nose of black fruits, sous-bois, a touch of cigar box and a little graphite. Like the Pavillon, it has something of a Pauillac austerity to it. The palate is medium-bodied, very fine tannins, sensuous texture, less floral than usual, more broody and introspective, but understated and elegant on the finish. There is more tangible sous-bois character than usual, an enigmatic Château Margaux that could benefit from more depth and length.

Score: 90 - 92

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2009

87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. Bright crimson. Rather opulent on the nose - hints of tobacco - and a little more burly and savoury than usual, perhaps because of less Merlot flesh. Dry start with the same backbone as the Pavillon Rouge. Firm, very fine tannins. No shortage of acidity. Mainly structure at the moment. Very clean but very youthful. Great freshness. Purity but I do feel we are tasting this too young. It should take on a bit more flesh. Very straight backed. Very fresh. Very embryonic. (17.5+ Points)

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2035 08 May 2009

Currant, blackberry and mineral aromas lead to a solid core of fruit, with fine tannins and a long, clean finish. Refined and very, very pretty.

Score: 90 - 93

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2009

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