Margaux 2011

Margaux, First Growth

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Tasting Notes
The renowned Chateau Margaux’s 2011 boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, sweet, supple, well-integrated tannins, medium body, and the elegance and nobility expected from a great first-growth. Although it is not as powerful or concentrated as the 2009 or 2010 (no 2011s are), it possesses finesse, elegance, purity and suppleness. The wine is surprisingly approachable already yet should keep for 15-20 years. Score: 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2034 01 April 2014
Administrator Paul Pontallier is nearly embarrassed to explain the amazing success of the 2011 Chateau Margaux, a candidate for wine of the vintage. With the harvest occurring between September 5-20, it was the smallest crop in over twenty years as yields were cut significantly by the drought. The berries were tiny. Moreover, analytically, the 2011 has a higher level of concentration as well as tannins than the 2009. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, only 38% of the harvest made it into the grand vin. The wine offers an inky/purple color, barely noticeable sweet tannin, and a beautiful nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers and lead pencil shavings backed up by fresh acids and good overall structure. This medium to full-bodied effort possesses tremendous personality and character. It rivals what they achieved in both 2010 and 2009, which is virtually impossible to contemplate given the quality of those two vintages. (94-96+ Points) Score: 94 - 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 27 April 2012
Representing 38% of the crop, the Grand Vin is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Harvest began 5th September with the earlier ripening Merlot and finished around the 20th. It has a very strict bouquet, very linear, a no-frills aromatic profile that delivers straight to the senses minerality, with touches of graphite and cedar from the intense Cabernet. The palate is medium-bodied with a more understated entry. The Cabernet is very pure right from the outset with blackberry, graphite, a saline tincture and a touch of black olive. It has a fine framework of taut tannins, beautifully composed as usual, with a finish that unlike 2009 or 2010, is very precise and linear, finishing off dry and abruptly. There is not a great long tail on the finish, but that would not suit this style of Margaux, one that is more masculine in style. Tasted April 2012. Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2012
Very small berries brought greater concentration but also had to be careful with the extraction. Deep dark crimson. Rich, dark and intense fruit on the nose. Floral note of violets too - open and expressive with plenty of fruit. Expressive on the palate - open and approachable and soft. Balanced and harmonious but almost too soft. 'Nothing sticks out', Paul Pontallier said, with a positive intention, but somehow it was a negative to me, all rather too safe and unexciting. Moderate length. (JH) 13.1% Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2035 16 April 2012
Floral cassis fruit, lovely florality and perfect texture, beautifully harmony of expression above concentrated natural tannins. Score: 18 - 19 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2035 16 April 2012
This is succulent, with an almost jammy cassis, plum and black currant profile, though that's quickly harnessed by riveting acidity on the finish, which lets additional floral, bay leaf, tobacco and perfume notes play out. There's very impressive range here already. Tasted non-blind. Score: 93 - 96 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 11 April 2012
Very elegant and ethereal with ultra-fine tannins and delicate fruit. Full body. I love the floral and aromatic quality to this. Then the tannins kick in. This has more tannins than 2010, according to technical director Paul Pontallier, and others, but you can't tell when tasting it. Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2012
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2 % Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Low yields of only 29 hl/ha. More closed on the nose than the Pavillon Rouge but displaying black cherries and licorice. Very smooth silky texture all the way through with lots of mocha and ripe red fruits coming through. Vibrant acity with seemless soft tannins. Excellent balance here. Score: 93 - 96 Albany Vintners, - 01 January 1900

Tasting Notes

The renowned Chateau Margaux’s 2011 boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, sweet, supple, well-integrated tannins, medium body, and the elegance and nobility expected from a great first-growth. Although it is not as powerful or concentrated as the 2009 or 2010 (no 2011s are), it possesses finesse, elegance, purity and suppleness. The wine is surprisingly approachable already yet should keep for 15-20 years.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2034 01 April 2014

Administrator Paul Pontallier is nearly embarrassed to explain the amazing success of the 2011 Chateau Margaux, a candidate for wine of the vintage. With the harvest occurring between September 5-20, it was the smallest crop in over twenty years as yields were cut significantly by the drought. The berries were tiny. Moreover, analytically, the 2011 has a higher level of concentration as well as tannins than the 2009. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, only 38% of the harvest made it into the grand vin. The wine offers an inky/purple color, barely noticeable sweet tannin, and a beautiful nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers and lead pencil shavings backed up by fresh acids and good overall structure. This medium to full-bodied effort possesses tremendous personality and character. It rivals what they achieved in both 2010 and 2009, which is virtually impossible to contemplate given the quality of those two vintages. (94-96+ Points)

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 27 April 2012

Representing 38% of the crop, the Grand Vin is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Harvest began 5th September with the earlier ripening Merlot and finished around the 20th. It has a very strict bouquet, very linear, a no-frills aromatic profile that delivers straight to the senses minerality, with touches of graphite and cedar from the intense Cabernet. The palate is medium-bodied with a more understated entry. The Cabernet is very pure right from the outset with blackberry, graphite, a saline tincture and a touch of black olive. It has a fine framework of taut tannins, beautifully composed as usual, with a finish that unlike 2009 or 2010, is very precise and linear, finishing off dry and abruptly. There is not a great long tail on the finish, but that would not suit this style of Margaux, one that is more masculine in style. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 93 - 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2012

Very small berries brought greater concentration but also had to be careful with the extraction. Deep dark crimson. Rich, dark and intense fruit on the nose. Floral note of violets too - open and expressive with plenty of fruit. Expressive on the palate - open and approachable and soft. Balanced and harmonious but almost too soft. 'Nothing sticks out', Paul Pontallier said, with a positive intention, but somehow it was a negative to me, all rather too safe and unexciting. Moderate length. (JH) 13.1%

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2035 16 April 2012

Floral cassis fruit, lovely florality and perfect texture, beautifully harmony of expression above concentrated natural tannins.

Score: 18 - 19

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2035 16 April 2012

This is succulent, with an almost jammy cassis, plum and black currant profile, though that's quickly harnessed by riveting acidity on the finish, which lets additional floral, bay leaf, tobacco and perfume notes play out. There's very impressive range here already. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 93 - 96

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 11 April 2012

Very elegant and ethereal with ultra-fine tannins and delicate fruit. Full body. I love the floral and aromatic quality to this. Then the tannins kick in. This has more tannins than 2010, according to technical director Paul Pontallier, and others, but you can't tell when tasting it.

Score: 94 - 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2012

86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2 % Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Low yields of only 29 hl/ha. More closed on the nose than the Pavillon Rouge but displaying black cherries and licorice. Very smooth silky texture all the way through with lots of mocha and ripe red fruits coming through. Vibrant acity with seemless soft tannins. Excellent balance here.

Score: 93 - 96

Albany Vintners, - 01 January 1900

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