
Château Margaux, 1er Cru Classé, Margaux, 2020
Aurélien Vallance explained that “The wet warm spring brought significant mildew pressure, but the Margaux team was able to fight it using exclusively organic products. Flowering was early and even (10-15 days in advance of the norm), but we noted that the bunches had less grapes than normal. Summer was exceptionally dry. Margaux experienced 50 consecutive days without a drop of rain. Luckily there was enough water in the soil to supply the vines until a huge storm on the 12th August unleashed 80 mm of rain. We were concerned it might be too much, but the berries didn’t swell. There was just one additional day of rain with 20 mm, then sunny and dry conditions returned. Harvest was early, conducted between the 10th and 30th September. The berries were very tannic and we had to be very careful with extractions, it was the smallest and most controlled extraction we’ve ever done at Margaux. This gentle approach with no pumping over resulted in very ripe, velvety tannins, wonderful freshness to the fruit and relatively low alcohols.” We may have claimed that the Pavillon Rouge is closer than ever to Margaux, however, there is still a chasm. The Grand Vin does everything on a more grandiose scale, yet with even more focus and detail. Aurélien noted that “the blending process was easy… all the great plots went into the Chateau Margaux”. Representing 36% of the crop, the bouquet is similar to the Pavillon Rouge, but everything is there in more abundance, even more floral, creamy cassis fruit, graphite, sandalwood, spices and a hint of decadent liquorice. The palate is so precise, laser like precision, wonderful detail, crisp berry fruit, crème de cassis, lots of bright mineral notes, seductive griotte cherries, it is complete, complex and very long, finishing with super refined tannins, which have been expertly ensconced in the wine. Stylistically, this errs towards the classical, there’s nothing flashy or extravagant, yet one is mesmerised by the beauty, the refinement, elegance and latent power. An extraordinarily impressive Margaux! 3.67pH, 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc.
critic reviews
The 2020 Château Margaux has an ethereal bouquet, blossoming with each swirl to reveal scents of blackberry, ash, tobacco and touches of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied and utterly harmonious, with fine tannins, beautifully knitted oak and subtle touches of white pepper and graphite toward the finish. This is amongst the greatest wines of the 2020 vintage. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
The 2020 Chateau Margaux is a brilliant young wine, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with hints of rose petals, iris, burning embers and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with terrific tension, beautifully refined tannins and a long, penetration finish, this is a vibrant, dynamic Margaux that stands out as the most classically proportioned wine of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 trio.
The 2020 Chateau Margaux is deep garnet-purple in color. After a couple of swirls, notions of blackcurrant pastilles, redcurrant jelly, and juicy black plums soar from the glass, leading to underlying suggestions of dark chocolate, candied violets, cast-iron pan, and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is satiny smooth, vibrant, and energetic, featuring floral, mineral, and black fruit layers, finishing very long and shimmery. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 89% of the blend, completed by 8% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc.
product details
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