Château Margaux, 1er Cru Classé, Margaux, 2022

The grand vin takes 40% of the harvest, and after Pavillon Rouge this leaves 28% to be divided between the third wine and the bulk wine. The blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the élevage all in new oak. This presents the same forward fruit as in Pavillon Rouge, but here enhanced by notes of tobacco, fine leather, currant and lightly salted black olive, with little notes of crushed oyster shell and violets. The palate is elegant, very svelte, with a serious yet finessed frame, riven with fine powdery tannins which add a superb structure, ripe and finely knit together, harmonious and yet imbuing the palate with a finessed energy. It finishes with a flourish of sweet and dark fruits, with a long grip of finely contracting tannins. Very fine and sinewy, with great freshness, the acidity also giving the wine shape. A stunning example of Margaux, with great length;a future classic, for sure. The alcohol on the label is 14.5% on the label.

DRINKING WINDOW 2030 - 2070

date of review 06/2025

Clear precision and intensity to the aromatics, and the tannins here are silky, enticing, this is squid ink, plum puree, cloves, turmeric, fragrant cardamon and crushed mint. Concentrated and mouthfilling, while retaining the succulent finesse that Margaux delivers so effortlessly. A wonderful wine that will age for decades. 25hl/h yield. 100% new oak for ageing, Philippe Bascaules director.

DRINKING WINDOW 2030 - 2046

date of review 03/2025

The 2022 Château Margaux obliged reams of superlatives from barrel. Now in bottle, it is a stone-cold breathtaking First Growth that belongs on the mantelpiece alongside the 1959 and 1983. That said, at first, the aromatics are bashful, yet it takes little to unfurl in jaw-dropping fashion, armed with heavenly pure black fruits laced with peony and iris flower and exuding <em>mineralité</em> (which is a mighty achievement given the season). The palate is imbued with stunning pixelation. There is a little more structure than I recall—an enthralling sense of architecture and thrilling tension, the pH of around 3.65 imparting acidic spine. Winemaker Philippe Bascaule remarked that he cannot compare the 2022 to another vintage. This is a profound Château Margaux that sets a contemporary benchmark.

DRINKING WINDOW 2030 - 2065

date of review 02/2025