Grand Vin du Château Margaux

Years ending in '5' have been consistently successful in Bordeaux, and 2025 follows in the footsteps of the great vintages of 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015. The quality is outstanding, but yields, at 22 hl/ha, were among the lowest in the last hundred years, mainly due to the dry summer. The volumes produced were just over half those of a normal year.

At the start of the harvests, the excellent weather conditions suggested that the proportion of grapes selected for the Grand Vin would be higher. However, this was not to be: the batches from our best plots were so magical that the wines from other plots, while superb, did not make the cut! This resulted in only 37% of the harvest being allocated to Château Margaux.
The 2025 vintage bears some similarities to 2022, with similar summer conditions, but the rain in late August and early September helped to develop the wine’s style, bringing more freshness and balance. Our decision not to rush the harvest meant that we were able to pick perfectly ripe grapes and extract dense, silky tannins.
Château Margaux 2025 reveals a very powerful, complex nose. Creamy, velvety and dense, it unfolds with superb length. The deeply expressive tannic structure and texture give the wine its unique character. Destined for long ageing, it will also be highly enjoyable in its youth.

Blend: 89% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

The production of Château Margaux 2024 required constant attention. This particularly technical vintage demanded heightened precision all the way through to the harvest, in which every decision played a vital role in preserving the balance and aromatic purity that characterise the Grand Vin. Harvesting conditions were not ideal, with several rainy spells punctuating the picking. Despite the risk of botrytis, we maintained our commitment to wait for each plot to reach optimal ripeness, so as to preserve and fully express the identity of the terroir. The harvests took place in two stages: from September 23rd to 29th with our small team, then from September 30th to October 8th with our large team of pickers. Château Margaux 2024 represents 46% of the harvest, a slightly higher percentage than in previous years. This was due to the best cabernet sauvignon plots which, being less susceptible to downy mildew, produced the vineyard’s highest yields. The blend, true to Château Margaux’s identity, is dominated by 93% cabernet sauvignon, giving it structure and depth. The remainder is made up of 5% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot, enriching its aromatic complexity and refining its balance.

This vintage stands out for its wonderful finesse, lively freshness and elegant tannins. Its delicate, refined aromatic expression perfectly reflects the precision and purity we seek in our wines. Château Margaux 2024 illustrates once again the extraordinary capacity of our terroir to express, even in the most challenging years, exceptional grandeur and timeless elegance. (April 2025)

Harvesting required more delicate work than usual and therefore took longer, but this extra care was necessary to achieve the aromatic purity that characterises Château Margaux’s wines. The red grape harvest began on September 11th with the first plots of merlot. The great cabernet sauvignon plots were picked on September 22nd. Harvesting was completed on October 5th.

Château Margaux 2023 is a fine, precise, complex wine. It represents 41% of the total volume of the harvest. Although it cannot match the exceptional density of its predecessor, it has the same aromatic style and the same silky tannins.

In some respects, it has exceeded our expectations after the rain in September. This vintage shows us once again how great terroirs are capable of adapting and expressing their exceptional quality in the wines.

The Château Margaux blend is still mainly composed of cabernet sauvignon (89%). 5% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot make up the rest of the blend. (April 2024)

Château Margaux 2022 is undoubtedly as extraordinary as the weather conditions themselves. Extraordinary, first and foremost, for its concentration: due to the very dry summer, the cabernet sauvignon berries were almost 35% smaller than in a normal year. Particular care had to be taken during vinification and the running off, during which only the silkiest tannins were extracted. Another less fortunate consequence of the small berries was the lowest yield since 2013.

The wine is also extraordinary for the freshness of its flavours: we had expected wines with ripe notes. We might have expected them to be lacking in acidity. But this was not the case. The nose reveals a delicate blend of fruity and floral notes. The wine’s length remains supported by a remarkable acidity, nicely balancing the higher-than-usual alcohol levels.

The blend is more classic, predominantly composed of cabernet sauvignon (92%). This enabled the wine not to be too high in alcohol, at 14.5%, despite the weather conditions. 6% merlot and 2% cabernet franc complete the blend. Château Margaux represents 40% of the harvest. (April 2023)

The 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages were so exceptional that it would be difficult for the 2021 vintage to claim any comparison with them. During the wine-making process, we did not want to artificially extract tannins for fear it would increase the astringency. We opted instead for a gentle extraction process, and were quite pleasantly surprised at the concentration we achieved despite such a difficult growing season.

The initial tastings from the first batches of our vineyard selections, just after the fermentation process, amazed us with their density. The polyphenol content was close, if not equal, to those achieved in vintages considered "warm" years.

Merlot makes up 8% of the blend while cabernet sauvignon remains the heart of the Grand Vin, accounting for 87%. cabernet franc (3%) is delicious and its elegant structure integrates seamlessly into the blend. Petit verdot (2%) completes the composition. Château Margaux 2021 represents 36% of the harvest. (February 2025)

Château Margaux 2020 follows in the footsteps of 2018 and 2019. It is very rare for three consecutive years in Bordeaux to be so homogeneous and of such high quality. It now seems almost presumptuous to regard so many vintages produced over the past six years as exceptional. The future will bring us more discernment.

The final blend is very similar to those of the latest vintages: it consists of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 2% petit verdot, and 1% cabernet franc. The Grand Vin represents 36% of the harvest. There is a perfect balance between density and fine tannins.

Several factors contributed to making this a superb wine: homogeneous flowering, summer conditions that favoured small berries and therefore concentrated wines, and excellent harvesting conditions. The only disappointment was the yield. The vine fertility was lower than in previous years, with 1.6 bunches per shoot, compared to 2 in 2019. The average yield on the estate was therefore 36 hl/ha. Château Margaux 2020 is a wine built to last for eternity—one that deserves to be awaited with patience. (February 2025)

Château Margaux 2019 is one of the greatest vintages in our history and joins the list of exceptional wines we’ve been fortunate to produce this decade: 2015, 2016, 2018, and now 2019...

Cabernet sauvignon still forms the heart of Château Margaux, accounting for 90% of the blend. Merlot accounts for 7%. In addition to our emblematic plots, this year we have added the merlot from the plot known as "Haut-du-Jardin" which bring body and charm to the wine as a whole. Cabernet franc (2%) and petit verdot (1%) complete the blend. Château Margaux represents 37% of the harvest. Ideally, it should be kept for many more years, but it's already hard to resist!

Château Margaux 2019 will be the first to fully benefit from the new facilities in the second-year cellar, the construction of which was initiated by André Mentzelopoulos at the end of the 1970s. Following numerous interventions over the years, a major refurbishment was required, and we are delighted to complete it just as his grandson, Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos, joined the Château Margaux team. He and his sister Alexandra Petit-Mentzelopoulos now represent the future of the estate. (February 2025)

Château Margaux 2018 is one of the very best wines produced on the estate in recent years even taking into account the extraordinary quality of the 2015 and 2016 vintages!

Château Margaux 2018 is incredibly concentrated, given the small berry size and relatively low yields. These exceptional tannin levels, however, don't add any aggressiveness or exuberance, but rather give this wine remarkable length.

Fairly early in the wine-making process, we understood this tannic potential and thus moderated our extraction programs including for our merlot plots, which are usually less dense than our fine cabernet sauvignon wines. The latter still form the heart of Château Margaux, accounting for 90% of the blend. They also help limit the alcohol content to 14% under such weather conditions. This wine’s blend, which represents 36% of the harvest, is completed by 4% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. The power and softness of this wine already make it very impressive, but it is best to wait patiently to fully enjoy all its qualities. (February 2025)

The quality of Château Margaux 2017 comes close to its illustrious predecessors without claiming to rival the generosity of 2015 or the elegance of 2016. However, it is in line with the great vintages produced at the estate: it is deep, complex, intense and long. In some respects, it even exceeds our expectations after the September rains and demonstrates once again to what extent great terroirs are capable of adapting and transmitting all their best qualities into the wine.

The first tastings in the winemaking process offered a moment of astonishment. The merlot batches are remarkable: fruity and soft aromas, a roundness on the palate and rich volume allowed them to account for 8% of the Grand Vin. Cabernet sauvignon has always formed the heart and backbone of Château Margaux, accounting for 89% of the blend. Upon tasting, the tannins were perfectly ripe, which reassured us that our decision to wait a few more days before harvesting was the right choice. The wine’s structure remains a rare combination of power and refinement. Cabernet franc (2%) and petit verdot (1%) complete the blend. Château Margaux represents 37% of the harvest. It is best to wait patiently, even though it already offers great pleasure. (February 2025)

How difficult it is to follow a vintage as extraordinary as 2015! And yet, Château Margaux 2016 clearly ranks among the greatest vintages of this early century!

The nose is particularly delicate, complex and deep. On the palate, the wine reveals incredible volume, softness and, above all, length. It is, of course, our finest cabernet sauvignon plots that lend this wine its elegance, making up 94% of the blend. Merlot and cabernet franc, at 2% and 3% respectively, contribute significant complexity—both aromatically and through the softness of their tannic structure. Finally, petit verdot, despite its small quantity (only 1% of the blend), adds considerable density and volume.

Despite the dry and sunny summer conditions of this vintage, this wine has retained all its acidity—promising fabulous ageing potential. Château Margaux 2016 is an exceptional wine, the result of a combination of outstanding weather conditions, deep knowledge of our terroir and a rigorous selection process (28% of the harvest). It is, however, important to wait patiently, given its immense ageing potential. (February 2025)

2015 was a historic year—literally—for Château Margaux. We celebrated both the bicentenary of the estate’s buildings dating from 1815, and the inauguration of the new facilities designed by architect Norman Foster. It is easy to imagine how much we dreamed of 2015 becoming a great vintage!

Part of the result is undoubtedly due to the decisions made during blending: only 35% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin—a record level of strictness for a vintage of this quality. As usual, cabernet sauvignon forms the backbone of the blend, accounting for 87%; in addition to its concentration and finesse, it displays unusual vigour and strength this year. The merlot has nothing to be ashamed of, at least in the best plots, and makes up 8% of the Grand Vin. Cabernet franc (3%) and petit verdot (2%) also earned their place in this highly selective blend, confirming that truly great vintages generally allow all grape varieties to express their full potential.

How does 2015 compare to its predecessors? It is a thankless—and somewhat futile—task, when it comes to the greatest vintages. There are, of course, similarities and resemblances, along with some unexpected differences… But one can evoke a combination of the strength of 2005, the flesh of 2009, the subtlety of 2010, and the inimitable charm of Château Margaux. Still, it is best to wait patiently, as its potential is immense.

Fittingly, the final vintage overseen by Paul Pontallier, Managing Director of Château Margaux from 1989 to 2015, expresses the estate’s most beautiful qualities.

For all these reasons, Château Margaux chose to create a special design for its 2015 Grand Vin.

A unique case was designed and adorned with a magnificent screen print, specially conceived for this vintage, and affixed directly to the glass in place of the usual labels. The vintage seems to have been built for eternity. (March 2025)

What a relief after the difficult moments we experienced in 2013! This succession of very different vintages makes Bordeaux a unique place, where one can rely on experience without ever being tempted to repeat it! In 2014, we went back to—almost—normal quantities, certainly higher than in 2013, but yet not at the level we hope to reach. As usual, when conditions are not those of a great vintage, the gap widens between the best terroirs and the others, which, despite a beautiful September, could not fully catch up on the time lost in August. Only our emblematic plot of merlot, called « l’Eglise », could be included in the Grand Vin, representing only 5% of the merlot in the blend. But it is superb and ranks among the best successes of the past ten years. All the great cabernet sauvignons are exactly where they belong—at the top! They account for 90% of the Grand Vin. 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot complete this blend, which has become fairly classic in recent years.

Château Margaux 2014 represents 36% of the harvest—the core of true quality. It’s a powerful, fleshy wine, whose silky tannins almost make one forget its great concentration and fine acidity. It may not rank among the greatest vintages of this century, but can certainly claim a place just behind them. Ideally, it is best to wait a few more years before opening. (February 2025)

It’s in the challenging vintages, in one way or another, that truly great terroirs reveal their incredible supremacy. 2013 is no exception to this rule, whose inner workings remain partly mysterious. Precocity is one of the reasons: our best cabernet plots had already reached a very good level of ripeness before the harvest was hastily carried out, and it came close, within four or five days, to reaching excellence. The other reasons remain, and will remain, unclear for a long time yet; the genius of great terroirs is difficult to fathom.

Whatever it is, all the large cabernet plots have, without exception, produced magnificent wines, so clearly above all the others that the Château Margaux blending was, in fact, easy to decide. It consists of 38% of the harvest, a very classic figure. However, the proportions of the grape varieties are unusual: 94% cabernet sauvignon, the largest proportion ever; 5% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot and… no merlot at all. Even our best plot, which we had the luxury of harvesting with great care, turned out to be disappointing.

So we can expect a wine dominated by cabernet: it is indeed, but not the way in which we would have thought. When ripe enough, Margaux cabernets have a balance and softness that are otherwise characteristic of merlot; and of course this charm and finesse belong only to their terroir.

Château Margaux 2013 cannot claim to be a great vintage: we know very well that it was born under difficult conditions. But we are immensely privileged to have produced it at the beginning of the 21st century when all the care and attention, all the sacrifices, are possible; this wine justifies all of these efforts. We can start drinking it, even though, of course, there is no rush. (February 2025)

The rigorous selection—a little less than 34% of the harvest in the Grand Vin—can largely be explained by the heterogeneity of the 2012 vintage, mainly due to water stress affecting young vines and sensitive terroirs. What a disappointment not to have been able to include that fabulous 13-year-old cabernet plot, which had performed so well in 2010 and 2011! But what a joy to see our greatest plots of mature vines reach such heights of concentration and elegance! The cabernet sauvignon (87% of the blend) is remarkable: powerful, dense, fleshy and refined. The two usual batches of merlot (10%) as well as the small batch of cabernet franc (2%) that usually join them didn’t disappoint, but weren’t better than in 2011. As for our only old plot of petit verdot, it produced a superb wine, quite different from the younger ones.

Our best press wines, which are the result of a stringent selection, bring remarkable density and flesh to this year’s blend, without sacrificing the slightest finesse. We sometimes forget that they are the concentrated essence of both the strengths and weaknesses of the free-run wines, and that rigorous work is all it takes to reveal their fantastic potential.

Château Margaux 2012 is a perfect example of the softness, delicacy, charm, and balance that have been the hallmarks of our wines for centuries. In the end, all it needs is a little depth and density to be a great vintage. The softness of its tannins also makes it delicious even today, though reason would suggest waiting a little longer before drinking it... (February 2025)

Whatever the conditions of the vintage, the "core" of the quality—that is, all the plots which make up the basis of the Château Margaux blend—has been remarkably stable for more than three hundred and fifty years... These very great terroirs withstand rain, drought, disease, and sometimes even human inconsistency better than others. 2011 is no exception to this rule: 38% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin, the same proportion as the previous year. Naturally, the cabernet sauvignon still largely dominates with 86% of the blend. This year, it shows uncommon strength, vigour, fortunately balanced by remarkable softness. Then comes the merlot (10%), petit verdot (2%) and cabernet franc (2%). Château Margaux 2011 is the most concentrated wine we have ever produced. And yet, we barely notice its tannins... It can be enjoyed now, provided it is decanted in advance, but ideally it should be kept for a few more years. (February 2025)

As unbelievable as it may sound, 2010 is at least as great a vintage of Château Margaux as 2009! As always, the cabernet sauvignon made the most of this very dry and cool year. With as much as 90% in the blend, the cabernet "makes" the wine, providing it with exceptional aromatic finesse, restrained power and subtle freshness. There is not much room left for the merlot (7%), cabernet franc (1.5%) and petit verdot (1.5%). The genius of these cabernet plots is astounding.

Château Margaux 2010 is a giant, but it is not monstrous. It is sheer magic—both classic and extraordinary. Classic in its purity, finesse, and soft, refreshing finish; extraordinary in its astonishing aromatic complexity and exceptional power. It's a “modern” wine in the sense that it represents the culmination of today's technology and selection efforts, but it's also timeless, as its stature and charm will transcend time and fleeting trends. However, it is best to wait patiently before drinking it... (February 2025)

2009 may well be the greatest young Château Margaux we have tasted over the last 30 years.

Mother Nature could not have done it all by herself; barely 36% of the crop (just 31% at bottling) went into the Grand Vin—a drastic selection for such a vintage. Still, in 2009, Mother Nature surpassed herself, allowing grapes from the finest terroirs to reach an exceptional level of concentration, finesse, balance, and freshness.

The cabernets (87% of the blend) are only rivaled by those of 2005, though they are softer; the two merlot lots retained (9%) are simply unmatched. The cabernet franc (2%) and petit verdot (2%) are also at their very best.

Château Margaux 2009 is an extraordinary wine—defined both by its tannic power and breadth, reminiscent of 2005, and by its softness, which evokes 1990. And with an alcohol level barely above 13%, its finish remains fresh, flavorful, and memorably long.

When to drink it? That’s a tough question: it’s already charming and irresistible, yet its ageing potential is immense.

(February 2025)

No vintage between 2004 and 2008—with the notable exception of 2005 of course—enjoyed a glorious August. And yet, the grapes managed to ripen well each time, at least in the finest terroirs, thanks to the excellent conditions in September. But also due to so many other factors whose influence we still do not fully understand!

In 2008, it’s likely that the July drought helped mitigate the effects of the August rains—light but regular. The fine weather from mid-September onwards would have further limited their impact. There’s no miracle here, only our ignorance…

As always, it is the rigor of selection that reveals the sometimes hidden spirit of the vintage. 2008 is no exception: the Grand Vin represents only 36% of the harvest (and this proportion will drop to just 31% at bottling, once the lees wines produced during barrel ageing are removed). Each grape variety finds its place harmoniously: our best merlots, accounting for 10% of the blend, bring power, roundness and flesh they lacked in both 2007 and 2006.

The cabernet cauvignons, at 87%, are, as usual, the heart of the wine: they give it life, and make us feel it deeply…

Let’s not forget the 1.5% cabernet franc and 1.5% petit verdot; their modest presence surely belies their true influence.

This 2008 vintage is a beautiful Château Margaux, with a nose of great finesse and purity, as deep and charming as the 2004.

What's surprising is its power on the palate. We didn’t expect it to be so dense, so long, so rich.

What magnificent tannins! They give Château Margaux 2008 a tight texture, great length, and ultimately a more classic character than we had imagined. Ideally, it should be kept for a few more years.

(February 2025)

By talking too much about miracles, we can simply forget that nature is capricious—especially in Bordeaux… But it is precisely the succession of vintages, so different and so unpredictable, that gives Bordeaux a little of its charm, part of its interest and above all, lends our wines a genius like no other. Who would have thought, at the end of August, that they could reach such a level of quality? Ah, that famous Indian summer that we always dream of, which sometimes eludes us, but when it deigns to appear, lifts our hearts with wild enthusiasm! 2007 is one of those vintages marked by a succession of emotions — worry, sometimes anguish, hope, enthusiasm, doubt, and serenity. Yet our most consistent reaction in the end this year was... severity—particularly during blending, with only 32% of the crop selected for the first wine—the most rigorous selection ever made at that time. All our great plots are nonetheless present, some of them at their very best: the cabernets, of course, so noble, with such pedigree, both fine and dense. Representing 87% of the blend, they dominate, as usual, the personality of Château Margaux 2007. The merlot (11%) finds a better place this time, thanks to its full, tender and rich texture, along with the cabernet franc (2%) which clearly benefited from the conditions of the vintage. In the end, only a few late-ripening cabernets and our petit verdot did not make it into the blend, their ripening having proved too difficult. Already so charming, it's hard to resist—even if wisdom would suggest waiting a few more years. (February 2025)

For a number of years now, we have had a succession of great and very great vintages, surely proving that—at least so far—the weather conditions have particularly favoured the ripening of the cabernet grapes. It shouldn’t be overlooked though, that this success has also been the result of increasingly rigorous selection: in 2006, barely 36% of the crop went into the first wine, which will only be a third by the time it is bottled, after the unavoidable loss of the lees wine at each racking.

One single batch of merlot, though of remarkably high quality, finally went in the blend, but it only represents 4% of the whole… It is the first time we have had so little. Petit verdot (4%) and cabernet franc (2%) make up their usual proportions; they each bring added complexity that is difficult to define, but undoubtedly essential to the character of Château Margaux wines.

Cabernet sauvignon therefore dominates the blend: 90%! It brings to the 2006 vintage extraordinary aromatic finesse, tannic richness second only to the 2005, and a particularly dense and tight-knit texture. The finish is very long, fresh and lively—slightly firm, but already flavoursome.

2006 is therefore a great vintage of Château Margaux. Of course, it is not 2005, or 2000—those vintages are exceptional. But it does have both the grace and the purity of the 1996, the classic freshness of the 2004 and the captivating power of the 1986 or the 1995. Such balance is a brilliant expression of Château Margaux’s noble terroir, but it also demands a little patience. We recommend waiting a few more years. (February 2025)

2005 is a truly great, pure Château Margaux vintage!

First of all, it has all the class one expects from it: that incomparable nose of finesse, grace and depth that belongs solely to its terroir and to a few dream vintages. It also has power: its concentration is exceptional—greater than in 2000 and even 2003! It comes through first in the colour, with unprecedented intensity, and on the palate with extraordinary density and length. And yet, it’s not power that has the final say, but voluptuousness and harmony.

The cabernet sauvignon (85% of the blend) is, of course, largely responsible for this balance, having reached perfect ripeness without exceeding 13% alcohol. The single merlot that joined it (8% of the blend) is the only batch that didn’t reach 14%.

Built for eternity, it has opened up considerably over the past five years, although ideally, we recommend waiting a few more. (February 2025)

2004 was born in conditions closely resembling those of 1996: the same unsettled summer weather, the same lovely early autumn, the same rainy harvest… Last minute rain, however, in no way alters the body of the wine or weakens its muscle; it only removes a bit of roundness, giving it a finer silhouette.

Château Margaux 2004 is therefore a great classic vintage. There is great finesse—and above all, purity—on the nose, in this subtle combination of floral, fruit and spice aromas. All are clearly present, but none dominates. On the palate, the tannic structure is tight-knit, fine and tender. The overall impression is one of balance, precision, purity and freshness—so characteristic of great vintages. It also possesses that air-light grace found only in the finest Margaux wines.

It can already be enjoyed now, even though a brilliant future awaits it.

(October 2025).

Given the extreme weather conditions, we could have expected a rather warm nose, marked by aromas of very ripe or even roasted, black berry fruits. But instead, it’s red berry fruit, freshness, and purity that literally leap from the glass. As in 1996 and 2000, there are floral and slightly spicy notes, that fits beautifully into this very complex blend, where the new oak has already been fully integrated, as if "digested" by the body of the wine.

And what body! We knew, of course, that all the wines were extremely concentrated. The summer was coupled with a very low yield. Yet, the 2003 blend, reinforced by an excellent press wine, has a density that is almost unmatched in recent vintages. This density gives the wine not just power and strength, but also depth and length—and above all, a tannic structure so tight it becomes silky.

Much was said that year about acidity and its mysteries. It is true that grapes had rarely been picked at such low levels of acidity as in 2003. And yet today, we find total acidity exactly in line with the average of the last twenty vintages. In the end, this vintage—once thought to be shaped by extreme conditions—has given us a great classic! Although destined for a brilliant future, the first bottles can already be opened—provided they are properly decanted. (February 2025)

The merlot yields—especially those from old vines—were seriously affected by coulure and, more notably, millerandage. One might have thought that a relatively low crop would allow the grapes to ripen under better conditions, but the fine weather arrived too late for the merlot, whose ripening was already compromised. Overall, its quality was disappointing.

On the other hand, the cabernets and the petit verdot fully benefitted from the Indian summer that so often defines very good, even great, vintages in Bordeaux. Their quality was, on the whole, remarkable.

Logically, our final blend includes very little merlot—one of the lowest proportions in our history. It is therefore a wine composed essentially of cabernet sauvignon: fine and pure, rich, tight-knit, and tender. It may lack some complexity and depth to be considered a great vintage. A very fine September weather can certainly make up for the essentials, but it cannot totally replace the ripeness gained during a glorious August. Today, Château Margaux 2002 has gained even more finesse, without losing any of that tight-knit tannic structure which promises excellent ageing. We recommend waiting ideally a few more years before opening it, even though it already offers considerable pleasure. (October 2025)

The unusual delay in the harvest compared to the expected date at the time of flowering cannot be easily explained. Perhaps the weather conditions were particularly favourable to vine growth, at the expense of fruit ripening. Thanks to a generally favourable month of September, the grapes were nevertheless able to reach a good level of maturity overall. In a few plots, however, some cabernet sauvignon did not ripen perfectly. The petit verdot, on the other hand—despite being a later-ripening varietal— achieved remarkable ripeness, even better than in 2000.

Château Margaux 2001 clearly confirms its status as a very fine vintage. It actually recalls the 1999, both for its great aromatic finesse and its tannic texture, so tender and harmonious. What more can be said about the sheer pleasure experiencing when drinking these two wines? We are convinced that this early harmony, the result of perfect grape ripeness, promises many years of pleasure.

The 2001 can therefore be enjoyed fairly early, especially if one appreciates the freshness and purity of the fruit—and why resist the temptation?—or in 15 to 20 years, for those who prefer to wait for the bouquet’s finesse to develop with age. Only the balance will remain unchanged. (October 2025)

The grapes had rarely, perhaps never—except in 2010—been so concentrated, particularly the cabernets. In certain cases, we even surpassed the already historic levels of the 1986 and 1995 vintages, with an elegance and softness on the palate, reminiscent also of the 1990 and 1996 vintages. It seemed, in fact, that 2000 was setting a new benchmark in quality never before attained—at least in terms of style. Throughout barrel ageing, these first impressions were gradually confirmed. The wine has since acquired a slightly tighter texture while retaining that soft, and especially long, finish that seems to go on forever… Bottling took place in November 2002, after more than two years of ageing in new barrels. Such a long maturation is unusual, though not as rare as one might think: most of the greatest vintages undergo similar ageing.

Testing our patience, it is best to wait a few more years before opening it—unless decanted several hours in advance.

A wine built for eternity. (February 2025)

The same scenario as in 1998 was almost repeated in 1999: an exceptional spell of fine weather in August and early September brought the grapes to near-perfect ripeness levels. Then heavy rains at the end of September—just a few days too early—prevented the grapes from reaching the maturity of great vintages, as in 1998, or caused a slight dilution, as was the case in 1999. In both cases, the wines were "almost" great vintages. It is clear that a period of fine weather in August is of crucial importance, while rain—even heavy rain—during the harvest is not necessarily a handicap.

Château Margaux 1999 stands out for its great finesse, intensity and aromatic complexity. The nose combines great purity and great classicism. On the palate, it first reveals delicacy and suppleness, then softness, richness and density, before finishing with great length, displaying the wine’s true power. An extremely charming Château Margaux—hard to resist today—yet full of surprises. A great success. (February 2025)

We came very close to producing a great vintage. It all came down to a few showers at the start of the harvest… From the beginning, the wines—whether merlot or cabernet—had astonishing concentration, recalling the 1995 and 1996 vintages. Initially, they may have seemed a little firm and austere, but they gained considerable roundness and harmony during barrel ageing.

Today, Château Margaux 1998 displays aromas of great freshness, dominated by fruit—especially red berries—with lingering notes of vanilla and roasted coffee gradually melting into the wine. On the palate, the impression is of great power with fresh, firm yet fat tannins, that give this wine a very classic dimension.

1998 is undeniably a long-ageing wine and should ideally be kept a few more years before opening. (October 2025)

The generally adverse weather conditions in August prevented the grapes from reaching the concentration achieved in great vintages. However, the exceptional weather in September and during the harvest brought them to an excellent level of ripeness.

Château Margaux 1997 stands out for its great elegance and aromatic finesse—worthy of the finest vintages—as well as for its harmony and balance on the palate where the tannins are well integrated and almost smooth already. All that is missing in fact is a little density and depth for it to be a true great vintage.

It can be enjoyed now, as it already offers great pleasure, but there’s no rush—quite the opposite. A true success in a vintage often regarded as challenging. (October 2025)

This complicated year taught us many lessons, as it diverged completely from the usual—perhaps overly simple—pattern of the great vintages. One might even wonder whether the heavy rains at the end of September, contrary to our fears, actually favoured the ripening of the cabernet sauvignon, as was likely the case in 1995.

Whatever the explanation, this vintage ended up producing a wine that will be remembered for its classicism and purity. Rarely has cabernet sauvignon reached such stylistic perfection and balance. Rarer still is the ability of a young wine, recently blended, to be so immediately impressive and moving—through the purity of its fruit, the density of its texture, and the harmony of its form. It is a dream of a Margaux, hard to resist now, yet endowed with immense ageing potential. (February 2025)

1995 is a truly great vintage displaying all the hallmark characteristics: power, depth, richness, complexity, subtlety and harmony. Today the nose is not exactly closed, but still rather restrained. The aromas are present, though somewhat veiled. On the palate, it is obviously the power that dominates; the tannic structure is dense, tight and firm without being hard. Ideally, this superb wine should be given a few more years before opening. Its balance promises a beautifully harmonious evolution. (October 2025)

Perhaps in 1994 the cabernet sauvignon ultimately lacked a few extra days of sunshine. It produced very concentrated, tannic wines with a slightly firm finish.

Château Margaux 1994 is a dense and powerful wine, though still somewhat austere. Its tightly knit tannic structure has softened more than we had anticipated at the time of blending.

Today, the bouquet is developing well. Charm is slowly replacing power, and it is now ready to be enjoyed. (February 2025)

The bad weather during the harvest only slightly diminished our expectations of superb quality. Generally speaking, the month that truly determines the quality of a wine is August—or as the French say, "August makes the must".

This wine possesses the finesse, subtlety and charm of the very good vintages along with good overall balance. However, it lacks density and depth. It is very pleasant to drink now, but there is no rush. (February 2025)

Considerable work was required in the vines to compensate for the effects of the adverse weather conditions; first, to protect the vines, then to thin the crop which promised to be large, and finally to carry out particularly meticulous sorting at harvest time.

This wine, though relatively modest in scale, reveals great distinction and finesse, with a beautifully harmonious character. One might have feared insufficient tannin ripeness in this vintage, but their suppleness and roundness once again bear witness to the genius of the terroir.

Today, Château Margaux 1992 displays a lot of charm and finesse on the nose. On the palate, it is tender and refined, finishing on a very soft note. This wine may not impress, but it offers genuine pleasure.

It can be enjoyed now—though there’s no rush. (February 2025)

The frost on April 21st struck the vineyard very unevenly. The merlot vines, mostly located on the clay-limestone soils in the lower part of the estate, were completely frozen. Fortunately our finest cabernet sauvignon vines on the gravelly slopes that "look out over the river" were entirely spared.

Right up until the harvest, we hoped that these conditions—ultimately quite similar to those of the 1945 and 1961 vintages—would lead to another great year. But at the last moment, rain tempered our expectations.

Nevertheless, it is a fine achievement and an excellent wine. On the rare occasions we've opened a few bottles from this very small harvest, we've been surprised by both the concentration and the smoothness of this wine. (February 2025)

The harvest lasted almost a month as the cabernets ripened much later than the merlot. We even interrupted the picking for 10 days at the end of September to allow the Cabernets to fully ripen. Luck was on our side, as the weather was exceptionally good. 1990 was the third in a run of very fine vintages with 1988 and 1989. After the classic 1988 and the rich, opulent 1989, the 1990 immediately caused great excitement with its charm and great finesse. It’s striking how two vintages with seemingly similar conditions—1989 and 1990—produced such different wines! A few days of intense heat, an untimely rainstorm or a lengthy period of drought can have a big influence! The wines of the 1990 vintage, whether merlot, cabernets or petit verdot, were immediately outstandingly attractive, rich and tender with a tight but soft grain. Today, all the aromas and flavours already mingle sweetly together in this wine whose perfect harmony conceals a power comparable with 1989. It is enjoyable now, just as it was shortly after its bottling, and will surely remain so for the next twenty, thirty, or even more years… to our greatest delight. (February 2025)

The harvest in 1989 was the earliest since 1893, beginning on August 17th at Château Margaux… Merlot, cabernets, and petit verdot reached an exceptional level of ripeness, which brought back memories of the legendary 1982. The sugar levels were even higher in 1989.

The wine’s development in bottle has confirmed the high expectations we had from the moment of harvest.

Richness, complexity and opulence could be the key words to describe this outstanding wine. We felt it was already enjoyable to drink from the day it was made—thanks to the exceptional ripeness of the grapes, which gave the tannins a smoothness usually acquired only after long ageing in bottle. A great wine that can be opend now, though there is no need to rush. (February 2025)

The very deep colour, the rich, intense nose and the magnificent structure on the palate are very reminiscent of the 1986. They have the same powerful, ripe tannins, with perhaps a little less concentration, but also less austerity. Unlike 1986, however, 1988 is beginning to open up. It an therefore be enjoyed now, but there is no rush. (February 2025)

The greatest terroirs always reveal themselves when conditions are at their worst. Château Margaux 1987 displays a lot of finesse and aromatic complexity. It may lack the fatness and opulence of a great vintage, but the distinction and pedigree of a great wine are unmistakably present.

It is now reaching its peak and can be enjoyed, but there is no rush. (February 2025)

Another outstanding vintage, immediately after 1985. But while 1985 was full of charm, 1986 was austere. Seldom has a vintage—until the 2005 and the 2010—been from the start as powerful and concentrated. One would have to go back to the legendary 1961 to find a previous vintage with such richness and such balance.

1986 is an astonishing vintage; its very slow development reminds us, in some ways, of wines from a previous generation. Its tannic structure is very tight-knit and dense, softening only slightly from year to year. The bouquet is starting to open up; however, we feel that it still reveals only a limited part of its enormous potential. On the palate, it is full and rich, though still a little bit firm. Should we drink it now?... A great vintage, but one that seems to belong to another, older era. (February 2025)

1985 is an outstanding vintage, both in terms of quality and quantity. It has always been very pleasant to drink, almost right from the end of the fermentation. The nose remains still astonishingly fruity, fine and elegant and has become more developed and very complex. On the palate, one is immediately struck by the delicacy and charm of the particularly round and silky tannins, while the length and finish also reveal great concentration.

Today, 1985 stands as one of our most appealing vintages. It seems to be at its peak—though it may still surprise us in the coming decades. (February 2025)

The very low percentage of merlot in the blend, combined with, the hard-won ripening of the cabernet sauvignon, gave this vintage a certain austerity from the outset, along with a characteristic firmness on the finish.

Fortunately, the development in bottle has helped to soften the tannins. Today, the palate is softer and the nose quite remarkable. This wine is a great success for the vintage and now at its peak. (February 2025)

The spectacular success of the Margaux appellation in this vintage partly remains an enigma—highlighting just how limited our understanding is of what makes a vintage truly great… It seems that the stormy rain showers in August were less heavy in Margaux than in other regions around Bordeaux. The 1983 Château Margaux is a very fine wine, that certain tasters find better than the 1982 vintage. We have followed this pair of vintages from the beginning with curiosity and sheer pleasure, never settling on a definitive judgment of their respective qualities. Over the years, one tasted better than the other and vice-versa…

Today, the 1983 is certainly one of the most classic Château Margaux of the past forty years. The bouquet has developed well, it has become rich, complex and mature. On the palate, the impression remains of great power, balanced by remarkable freshness. We are starting to detect some variability among the bottles, though the magnums are consistently remarkable. (February 2025)

This wine has opened up considerably in the last 10 years and when we have the chance to compare it to the 1983, it seems to be slowly starting to take the lead—although much depends on the bottle, and on personal taste.... Château Margaux 1982 is a very powerful, fleshy and complex wine. The bouquet is already remarkably rich, complex and dense. On the palate, it offers an impression of great power, roundness, and suppleness. Such balance is rare. A sublime wine—hard to resist even if there's no rush to drink it... (February 2025)

A very good vintage, which today has perhaps turned out to be superior to 1978 and 1979. The nose reveals a lot of finesse, distinction, elegance and classicism. The balance on the palate is perfect and the finish is tender, soft and long. To be enjoyed now, before the tannins risk drying out. (February 2024)

Château Margaux's success in this vintage was unanimously praised. We were fortunate to harvest very late, after the rain, and to have done so under excellent conditions. Nevertheless, 1980 is not a great vintage: the wine has always been supple, aromatic, fine and well balanced, but has lacked power. It has developed beyond our expectations, but it is now starting to dry out slightly. To be enjoyed soon. (February 2024)

A fine vintage whose style has often been compared to the 1978; it seemed to us that when one of them opened up, the other started to close again—and vice versa... But the tannins have always been more tender and softer than those of 1978.

It also probably has less ageing potential, and we recommend drinking it now without waiting too long. (February 2025)

A classic, concentrated, rich, deep wine, with a mature, complex bouquet, displaying a touch of mint. Its very fine tannic structure still leaves a little firmness on the finish which is fortunately, softened by very fine perfumed flavours. We think this wine may have the potential to improve, but it may also dry out a bit. (October 2018)

This vintage, despite its mediocre reputation, produced a wine of surprising finesse and concentration at Château Margaux. This success is undoubtedly partly due to the vineyard's very low yield, but also to the joint involvement of André Mentzelopoulos—who took over the reins of the estate in July—and oenologist Émile Peynaud, whom he called upon his arrival to provide his invaluable advice during vinification and blending.

The colour is stunning, still very dark for the vintage. The bouquet is well developed, fine, complex and moderately rich. On the palate, it is quite smooth, not very powerful, finishing on a slightly firm note. It should be enjoyed now; the wine will not improve further though it can be kept for a few more years. (February 2025)

1976 will be remembered as the "drought year". This vintage could have been outstanding, but the rainy end to the summer diluted the grapes and then forced us to harvest quickly before rot set in.

Today, 1976 is a supple, almost smooth wine with a fine, distinguished and mature nose. It lacks complexity and a bit of power and acidity to be considered a truly great wine, but it is nontheless pleasant to drink and unique in its style. We look back with emotion on this period when Château Margaux, then owned by the Ginestet family, was up for sale and had not yet found a buyer.

1976 should be enjoyed now. (February 2025)

This vintage which was immediately acknowledged in Bordeaux as a great success, developed very slowly in bottle, especially for wines based on cabernet sauvignon, as is the case at Château Margaux. Since then, questions have been raised as to whether the cabernets were harvested at full maturity, given that the tannins remained very firm, even hard, for so many years. It is very likely that today such a vintage would produce a different wine, certainly just as concentrated but more accessible. 1975 came after three particularly difficult years (1972, 1973 and 1974). Perhaps the potential of this vintage was overestimated through understandable enthusiasm.

Château Margaux 1975 was not a great success. At the time, the estate— then owned by the Ginestet family—was about to be sold and certainly did not benefit from the same care as in the 1960s.

Today, however, the tannins have softened, the acidity has evolved into freshness, and some bottles surprise us with their complexity and finesse. (February 2025)

Another challenging vintage after 1972 and 1973, both in terms of wine quality and market conditions—unfortunately still heavily impacted by the consequences of the oil crisis.

Yet, when tasted in June 2024, this wine pleasantly surprised us. It is indeed rather light and somewhat vegetal, but it has benefited from half a century in bottle, developing a floral and complex bouquet, while its slightly green tannins have mellowed, adding a lovely complexity. Magnums, in particular, are surprisingly youthful. (June 2024)

Château Margaux 1973 seduces with its finesse, delicacy and subtle aromatic bouquet. Admittedly light, it is pleasant to drink, though it would be wise not to wait too much longer. (May 2024)

1972 is a mediocre year marked by a greenness due to grapes that failed to reach full maturity. We thought this wine should be drunk fairly quickly, but a bottle tasted blind in 2017 astounded us. The nose was superb, very complex, reminiscent of some beautiful, whole-cluster Burgundies. The acidity was noticeable, but gave length to the wine. Impressive for the vintage! (2017)

Recently tasted, this wine won us over with its finesse, aromatic complexity, and softness. What a thrill! (September 2025)

It is hard to imagine today the excitement caused by this vintage whose abundance and generosity seemed all the more remarkable given how truly dreadful the two previous vintages—1968 and 1969—had been.

Most of the wines produced in the Médoc remained closed and rather austere for a long time. As with the 1975 vintage, it could have been a question of the cabernet sauvignon not being ripe enough when it was picked. In many estates, even in the greatest, the vat cellar equipment—in particular the number of vats—was not suited to such a large crop. Vinification conditions therefore were not ideal. It was the case at Château Margaux, where the 1970 reflected the quality of the vintage very well, but lacked a little concentration and flesh. The nose is complex, well developed, deep, and quite harmonious. On the palate, the impression is fine and pleasant, though a little short and dry on the finish. We believe this wine is ready to drink now, but it undoubtedly has good potential for ageing and even improvement as it tends to open up and improve in the glass. (July 2025)

The grapes were thoroughly washed-out by the heavy and almost continuous rain of September. Naturally they were unable to reach a proper level of ripeness.

1969 is a lesser, mediocre wine, which has sunk into oblivion. It should have been drunk by now... (March 2024)

1968 is the epitome of a poor vintage—one that occasionally raises concerns about whether it could happen again today…

From the very beginning, the wines were short, light, simple and lacking real interest. Over the years, a certain finesse has appeared: it is the privilege of great terroirs, whose quality manages to come through even in such conditions.

Today, 1968 is a tired wine that should have been drunk long ago. (March 2024)

1967 Château Margaux is a very fine vintage and a good example of both the genius of the terroir and an era when the search for balance and finesse was paramount.

Today, this wine shows a particularly refined and distinguished nose—very ripe, very elegant, and so enjoyable! On the palate, smoothness prevails; the tannins fade into the background, leaving only the pleasure of drinking. A truly lovely bottle to enjoy now. (February 2025)

It is a rich wine with a very fine tannic structure, which has now developed lots of finesse and softness on the palate (although somewhat marked by the tannins on the finish). If it does not have the charm of the 1962, it is nonetheless excellent and remains one of the top three vintages of this decade. (February 2025)

1965 was the only year in which no Château Margaux was produced. Wines of very mediocre quality were blended with batches from other vintages to produce a wine released under the label of " Château Margaux non millésimé" (Non-vintage Château Margaux). This decision may seem incongruous today, but it should be seen in the very difficult context of those time.

The 1964 vintage left its mark on the Bordeaux wine region: those who had finished harvesting before the rain felt vindicated in their habit of picking early; those who harvested afterward swore they would never be caught out again… This great fear led many winegrowers to bring forward the start of harvests for years to come—perhaps explaining why certain vintages like 1970 and 1975, harvested in haste, proved somewhat disappointing.

At Château Margaux that year, we rushed slowly... About half of the crop was harvested before the rain, the other half, unfortunately and painfully, in the rain. Château Margaux 1964 bears the mark of this mixed parentage: it is a very good wine, but could have been a great one.

Today, it displays a fine, deep, complex bouquet. Fairly long on the palate, it lacks a little density and flesh, but finishes with great freshness and elegance. To be enjoyed now. (February 2025)

Given its age and the very difficult climatic conditions of this vintage, we expected the worst when we had the opportunity to open two bottles in May 2019.

It is obviously not an exceptional wine, but it is pleasant nonetheless. Although the color is cloudy, the nose has a certain freshness preceding a rather light and acidic palate balanced by very soft tannins. (May 2019)

This vintage is a rare example—especially for that era—of a successful late harvest year.

Unfortunately, coming so soon after the extraordinary 1961, the quality of this very fine wine was a little overshadowed.

Château Margaux 1962 is, along with 1961 and 1966, one of the best vintages of the 1960s, though it is true that the decade included many lesser vintages. A light color, wonderfully perfumed, this wine is well balanced, rich and mature; very pleasant to drink today. The magnums, in particular are remarkable. (February 2025)

It has sometimes been said that 1961 was the greatest vintage since 1900. Our memory does not always serve us well, but there is no doubt that this vintage displays quite extraordinary qualities, which we would not find again until the 1982 vintage. 1961 not only benefited from remarkable weather conditions, but also from the first achievements of what came to be known as "modern oenology" inspired by Professor Ribereau Gayon and Doctor Emile Peynaud.

Château Margaux 1961 is a sumptuous wine: soft, harmonious, rich, dense, and remarkably fresh. Its bouquet is unique—beneath the scent of undergrowth, so typical of the great wines of that era, lies a layer of indescribable fruity and floral fragrance... Smelling this wine is a moment of unforgettable excitement, of pure emotion! On the palate, the sensations harmouniously mirror the aromatic festival on the nose: its tannic density asserts itself with smoothness and delicacy, and the finish is a powerful yet tender caress. A truly magnificent wine.

Today, the 1961 has lost none of its freshness, with magnums showing greater consistency than bottles. Of course, it can be opened now, but it was built for eternity... (February 2025)

Poor old 1960, caught between 1959 and 1961! It was surprisingly fine, yet so light… We didn't think it would stand the test of time. Tasted in March of 2017, it certainly lacked concentration and power, but revealed an unexpected elegance and charm. A delightful surprise. (March 2017)

Even before the harvest began, this vintage was acclaimed as "vintage of the century". Indeed, the summer had been exceptionally hot and dry throughout France. Not only Bordeaux but also Burgundy and Champagne had great success. The heat-wave during the harvest made the vinification difficult—and at times perilous—since few cellars at that time had equipment to cool the fermenting musts. It has sometimes been said that 1959 was the last great vintage of a bygone age, with 1961 marking the beginning of the modern era.

Château Margaux 1959 is really a great wine with a powerful, complex, very fine and elegant bouquet, though slightly less profound and rich than the 1961. On the palate, it is very concentrated and powerful. Without a doubt, it is a great bottle which should be enjoyed now without further delay. The magnums today are showing greater freshness and can be kept for a few more years. (February 2025)

As always, as the French saying goes, "August makes the must" or in this case, it was the undoing of it. Despite the very fine weather in September, the grapes were never able to acquire sufficient concentration after suffering during the month of August.

Château Margaux 1958 is a fine, light wine that has always lacked body, yet still possessed a certain charm. Today a little faded, it should have been enjoyed by now. (February 2025)

In its early years, Château Margaux 1957 was hard and very tannic, but today it impresses with its dark color, imposing structure and disconcerting youth. One almost hesitates to open it, tempted to wait a few more years for the slightly severe tannins on the finish to soften a little further... (February 2025)

1956 was certainly a very challenging year—but isn’t it in such vintages that the greatest terroirs reveal their magic? Admittedly light, its elegance and delicacy won us over the last time we tasted it, in 2006, to celebrate the 50th birthday of Paul Pontallier, Managing Director of Château Margaux from 1989 to 2015. (2006)

1955 combined most of the characteristics that are necessary to produce a great vintage—in particular, a hot, dry August and excellent conditions during the harvest.

Château Margaux 1955 was a success: light in colour, it is a wine full of charm and freshness, delicacy and smoothness. The bouquet is superb, and the palate perfectly harmonious; it may lack a bit of density to be considered a truly great vintage.

It is perfect to enjoy now, although its development in bottle—and especially in magnum—may yet surprise us.

(February 2025)

A mediocre wine, rarely encountered and seldom tasted. Yet even in a vintage of this kind, we are always pleasantly surprised by the characteristic finesse of its bouquet.

Naturally, there is nothing to be gained from keeping this wine any longer. (September 2024)

1953 is one of the greatest vintages of Château Margaux. It expresses, in a particularly perfect way, the genius of its terroir. The wine displays an incomparable level of finesse and subtlety, combined with a richness which enables it to remain incredibly fresh today. The bouquet of this wine approaches perfection. The nose of undergrowth mingles with aromas of flowers, red berry fruit and leather, in an overall impression of extraordinary and moving delicacy. On the palate, we sense a measured, restrained power which has developed over the years to give a supreme level of refinement and smoothness. (February 2025)

Château Margaux 1952 has kept an astonishing freshness. Its bouquet is very distinct and refined, with just a touch of austerity. On the palate, it is at first soft and silky, and then slightly firm tannins come through on the finish. It is still a very fine wine that you should, however, not wait too long before drinking. (February 2025)

This wine has practically disappeared not only from cellars but also from the memories of wine tasters...

It has always seemed light, without much body. Yet, tasted in October 2011, it pleasantly surprised us. It revealed elegance and delicacy, along with remarkable complexity. Time had finally revealed the finesse of the terroir! (October 2011)

Château Margaux 1950 is a stunning wine which possesses an almost unique grace. Its bouquet shows a finesse reminiscent of the 1953 without quite having the same complexity. The impression on the palate is one of extraordinary delicacy, smoothness and harmony. 1950 may not have the length or the muscle of a great vintage, but it is a dream of a Margaux—an emotional rather than a sensational wine. We are amazed by its freshness which only a miracle could have saved in a wine so soft we once thought it was fragile. Wines like this prove that strength does not necessarily come from muscle. It is unlikely to improve further, and we believe it would be best to drink it now, so as not to miss this magical opportunity. (October 2024)

1949 is one of the most concentrated vintages of Château Margaux; such tannic power would not appear again until 1961. Its colour is stunning, dense, very deep and still youthful. The nose is rich, clean, but does not have the same finesse as other more classic great vintages, such as 1953, 1955 and 1959. The power really comes through on the palate; we can feel just how concentrated the tannins are, and these still give the wine a firmness—even a touch of astringency—which is surprising in a wine of this age. The finish lacks a little smoothness, but overall, it is a remarkable wine.

It is difficult to say whether it should be drunk now or kept... We believe this wine still has the potential to improve, though it may eventually dry out a little. So, perhaps it would be better to drink it! (February 2025)

The wine is no more remembered than the weather that year. A bottle tasted in March 2018 nevertheless proved to be excellent. Despite its cloudy color, the nose was ripe and very complex. The palate was pleasant and the acidity of the wine—probably a bit aggressive in its youth—now brings a lovely freshness and remarkably lengthens the finish. However, it quickly deteriorated in the glass and should therefore not be decanted or only at the very last moment before serving. (March 2018)

Château Margaux 1947 is an outstanding wine, particularly powerful and still very fresh. The bouquet is intense and mellow with very ripe fruit coming through. On the palate, the power of the tannins comes to the fore, leaving a slightly dry impression which is quite typical of the wines of this generation.

This type of wine was made for long ageing. It can be enjoyed now, of course, but it can be laid down without any problem for many more years. (February 2025)

Château Margaux 1946 has always been considered a wine of modest quality. At almost 80 years of age, it is finally beginning to show greater complexity with a pleasant nose—yet it still retains a very lively acidity. Will it ever soften? (February 2025)

1945 is a legendary year! Symbolically, a great vintage came along to celebrate the end of the Second World War…

Château Margaux 1945 is a very powerful, concentrated and ripe wine, with a fine, complex bouquet—more elegant than the 1947 and 1949 vintages, which seem to have been more affected by the extreme heat of the summer. This wine possesses all the attributes of a great vintage of its generation. The tannic freshness remains present on the palate and will very probably enable it to age even longer. Having remained very young for so long, it now seems to us to be at its peak. (February 2025)

1944 is now a forgotten wine. It was once rather fine, elegant, and appealing, but it has faded over time. It should have been drunk by now. (September 2024)

This vintage was a tremendous success. It was the best wine produced at Château Margaux, and in Bordeaux in general, since 1934. We look back on those difficult times and conditions during the war with great sympathy. Many things were lacking: staff, horses, products for vineyard treatments, raw materials, and so on.The success of this vintage makes it all the more moving.

Château Margaux 1943 is very good to drink today. Its bouquet is very fine, very elegant, closer to the great vintages of the 1950s, such as 1953, than to the other great wines produced in the 1940s. On the palate, it is tender and harmonious, finishing on a smooth note. This wine is delicious to drink now and can still be kept for several years more. (February 2025)

A long-forgotten vintage, once rather tannic and acidic in its youth, but it astounded us when tasted in 2011. The nose was remarkable, complex and rich. On the palate the wine was powerful, full-bodied, opulent with a finish that was incredibly smooth. Excellent! (2011)

A completely forgotten wine. All that remains is the emotional memory of the harsh production conditions of the time—marked by war and a lack of equipment. (February 2024)

With the German invasion, could anyone truly have thought about grapes during the summer of 1940?

This wine has slipped into the oblivion of history, leaving behind no memory but that of defeat. (February 2024)

The wines of 1939 were, overall, fine and very light. Today, Château Margaux 1939 displays a very evolved colour, yet the nose remains fine and astonishingly fresh. On the palate, it is rather light and pleasant. In fact, this is quite an amazing wine, which can bring a lot of enjoyment if you are fortunate enough to open a well-preserved bottle... (February 2024)

1938 produced light but pleasant wines, full of charm and delicately perfumed— without any greenness. However, they had to be drunk fairly quickly. (February 2024)

Very tannic in its youth, Château Margaux 1937 has since softened and the last bottle tasted in 2011 was very pleasant. The nose was superb, showing beautiful complexity and remarkable freshness. On the palate the wine remains youthful and still a bit tannic and slightly acidic. (February 2024)

1936 has completely disappeared from cellars as well as from the memories of most wine professionals. The wines appear to have been unripe and acidic in their youth. We have tasted it only once, in 2011, and sadly, it was past its prime. (2011)

1935 produced wines that were supple and elegant. They were certainly light but not green. Unfortunately, their ageing capacity was limited. (February 2025)

At last—a truly fine vintage! The only one in the 1930s…

Château Margaux 1934 is still superb. It displays a deep, dense colour and a fine, fresh, complex bouquet. On the palate, it is powerful and rich with tannins that are very present though slightly dry on the finish.

Bottle quality has become inconsistent, but most magnums remain excellent. It is obviously a wine to enjoy now, as it can only lose the wonderful qualities it still possesses. (February 2024)

Although the weather conditions were quite challenging in 1933, the last bottle tasted in 2011 was very pleasant and still quite tannic! (2011)

1932 is probably one of the most challenging vintages we have ever known. The harvest came late—starting in mid-October—but was unfortunately carried out in the rain, resulting in light wines meant to be drunk quickly. (February 2024)

Born under difficult economic conditions, the 1931 vintage produced light wines—slightly green, yet very perfumed in their youth. Unfortunately, their ageing potential proved rather limited. (September 2024)

Never has Bordeaux experienced such a challenging sequence of four vintages as between 1930 and 1933. The first of these, 1930, produced light wines, ready to drink quickly and fortunately without any greenness. (September 2024)

Ah, 1929! That legendary year will always be remembered as the vintage of the century. Its reputation was only magnified by the catastrophe that followed—the bleak 1930s and the outbreak of war. It was not until 1945 that anything comparable in quality was produced.

Château Margaux 1929 is indeed a marvelous wine whose bottles have unfortunately become inconsistent over time. A few years ago, we had the opportunity to open several at once: about one in three was in decline, another was fine but a bit tired, and the last one... simply sublime! An incomparable, indescribable finesse—a silky, long, delicate feeling on the palate... Sheer happiness and emotion... (September 2024)

1928 and 1929, what a fabulous pair of vintages! To find successive years of such high quality, we had to wait about sixty years until 1989 and 1990; though, at Margaux, we could also mention 1982 and 1983, 2009 and 2010, 2015 and 2016, or 2018-2019-2020.

The wines made in the 1928 vintage were, right from the start, incredibly powerful and concentrated—often even hard and austere—which explains why 1928 was overshadowed by 1929, a vintage with almost immediate appeal.

Château Margaux 1928 is an outstandingly great wine and is today perhaps superior to the 1929 since it has, on the whole, aged better. There is more consistency in the bottles. The wine has lost its hardness, but retained an absolutely extraordinary freshness and richness. It may not have the great finesse of a bottle of 1929, but its freshness is far greater. Without going so far as to say that we still have to wait to drink it, we believe its ageing potential remains nearly intact. Like 1870 and 1900, this wine seems to have been made for eternity... (April 2024)

The 1927 vintage, wedged between the great years of 1926 and 1928–1929, was quickly overshadowed. Little praised by critics at the time and born into an uncertain economic context, it never managed to establish itself among the benchmark vintages of the decade.

Château Margaux 1926 is a superb wine—very powerful and rich—that must have remained hard and austere for many years. But today, much like the 1928, it is very pleasant and has retained astonishing freshness. It’s a marvellous wine to enjoy when fortunate enough to open a well-preserved bottle or magnum. (April 2024)

The large crop never reached full ripeness. The wines were rather green, acidic and light—pleasant to drink in their youth, but they faded prematurely. The last bottle tasted in 2011 was a pleasant surprise. Even if the wine was a bit acidic and tannic, the nose was still remarkable and the finish quite pleasant. (2011)

This very abundant harvest produced pleasant, harmonious, refined wines that showed remarkable ageing potential. Today, the wine in bottles are tired, but the magnums have kept some freshness and are very pleasant to drink. It was with this vintage that the first Crus Classés decided, for the first time, to bottle their entire harvest at the château. However, it was not until a few years later—after the poor vintages and economic turmoil of the thirties—that this practice was finally adopted. (February 2024)

This vintage seemed to possess great charm in its youth but its lack of structure probably destined it to evolve quickly. We were therefore somewhat concerned when we had the chance to taste a bottle in April 2023. The nose was certainly evolved—slightly maderized—but the palate was surprisingly smooth and fresh... It even improved with aeration, revealing an increasingly complex floral nose. What a wonderful way to celebrate its centenary! (April 2023)

In its youth, this wine was light and diluted. It faded quickly and the most recent bottle opened in 2016 was elegantly perfumed, though sadly tired on the palate. (2016)

1921 was an especially great vintage for the wines of Sauternes. For red wines in general, it was a fine vintage, elegant and well-structured since the harvest was of modest volume.

The last bottle tasted in 2011 was a marvel! The nose was simply enchanting with remarkable complexity and freshness. The palate, perfectly balanced, offered finesse, softness and elegance. A perfect illustration of the inimitable charm of Château Margaux... (2011)

On the whole, the vintage was a success. The wines were fine and harmonious, though not very powerful. They evolved quickly and are now past their prime. (February 2024)

The 1919 harvest was plentiful and produced quite light wines, which probably evolved quickly, most of them now past their prime. Yet, a bottle tasted in 2014 reassured us: it showed beautiful freshness and complexity even if lacked a bit of concentration. (2014)

This good quality harvest produced a powerful wine—tannic and austere in its youth.

Tasted in 2011, and again more recently in 2023, the nose remained closed, but the palate impressed with its density and freshness. It still seemed so young… How moving to think this wine was produced during the war! (2023)

The quality of this wine, from a rather small harvest, had long been considered merely average. However, the most recent bottle opened in 2011 was a pleasant surprise. The wine displayed a lovely color, with a nose that was both complex and seductive. It preceded a very fleshy, powerful palate—perhaps only marred by a slightly tannic finish. (2011)

There is now very little trace of this vintage, which appears to have produced solid, full-bodied wines that lacked a bit of charm.

A mediocre wine from a vintage that was quickly forgotten. The last bottle tasted in 2015 had sadly passed its prime. (2015)

It is hard to imagine today the level of disorganization that must have prevailed at the time during the harvest due to the outbreak of war: no more men, no more horses etc. To make matters even more difficult, the crop was huge. The wines were generally quite good, but they developed quickly and have, of course, completely declined by now.

The harvest was plentiful and the wines rather light. They faded quite quickly.

This wine left little impression in people's memories. The wines were light and easy-drinking, but they did not age very well.

1911 was a small crop that, from the start, enjoyed an excellent reputation, as it came right after the catastrophic 1910 vintage. The wines were very pleasant to drink for many decades but they are now tired.

As one might expect given the weather conditions, the wines were mediocre and the last bottle tasted in 2011 reflected the vintage: rather light and acidic, yet not without a certain charm. (2011)

Like the 1905, we did not expect this wine—elegant yet light in its youth—to stand the test of time. We were once again mistaken. Tasted in 2011, the wine has retained all its elegance and balance, with a complex and charming nose followed by a soft and charming finish. (2011)

We recall this wine as being of rather good quality, but the last bottle tasted in 2011 lacked some charm. The tannins and acidity dominated the wine a bit too much. (2011)

It is interesting to note the cellar master's commentary: despite continuous rainfall, the harvest remained healthy which should not surprise us, as we recently experienced a similar situation.

When tasted in 2011, the wine showed very pale colour, almost that of a rosé. With beautiful complexity on the nose, it reminded us of a nice Pinot Noir. However, while the palate was pleasant, it was less impressive than the nose and was marked by a certain acidity. (2011)

A very powerful and exceptionally concentrated wine, considered at the time to be a great vintage. We have not often had the opportunity to taste this wine, which should still be of great quality.

It was also the year when the second wine of Château Margaux was named "Le Pavillon Château Margaux". (March 2025)

The wine, while very light and elegant in its youth, did not seem to be one for ageing. How wrong we were! When we tasted it in 2011, its youth and complexity were remarkable. The wine is powerful, balanced with incredible length. What a Château Margaux! A true wonder. (2011)

Quite a large crop. The wines were rather good and immediately enjoyed an excellent reputation after three previous poor vintages (1901, 1902 and 1903). Perhaps the reputation of this vintage was slightly exaggerated... (March 2025)

A very small crop and a vintage that left little impression on people's memories. Overall, the wines were of poor quality, yet Château Margaux appears to have enjoyed a great success with enthusiasts. (March 2025)

Produced from a generous harvest, 1902 was nonetheless a challenging vintage; the wines, while not green, lacked maturity and vinosity. (March 2025)

A wine that has become mediocre and light. Although it showed considerable elegance in its youth, it has now passed its peak. (September 2024)

The legendary 1900! The century began with an extraordinary harvest both in terms of quantity and quality.

1900 was, first and foremost, a record-breaking vintage in terms of volume—matched only in 1982!

1900 was, above all, a year of legendary quality! Despite very high yields, the wine possessed a power and concentration rarely equaled. This vintage aroused immediate excitement and eclipsed the fantastic 1899. How thrilling it was to rediscover, a hundred years later, a comparable quality with the 2000 vintage…

Today, Château Margaux 1900 still retains an extraordinary freshness. It is one of the greatest wines we have ever tasted. The bouquet offers incomparable finesse, with stunning notes of fresh fruit. On the palate, it delivers a fabulous impression of richness and smoothness, with a finish that is long, delicious, and refreshing. Simply wonderful... (September 2024)

1899 and 1900, formed a fabulous pair of vintages, matched later only by 1928-1929 and 1989-1990. The wine of 1899 was of remarkable quality but was a little overshadowed by 1900, which was immediately more powerful and carried a more symbolic vintage year…

Château Margaux 1899 is a wine of great harmony, exceptional finesse and amazing freshness. While less powerful than the 1900, its bouquet is at least as complex and elegant. On the palate, it shows extraordinary smoothness and delicacy. It remains a remarkable wine to enjoy today. (September 2024)

A wine that has become mediocre and light. Although it showed considerable elegance in its youth, it has now passed its peak. (September 2024)

This vintage likely benefited from the most extraordinary weather in three centuries. Never before had the harvest begun so early in the year (August 17th), and it hasn't happened since!

1893 was also the largest crop ever recorded at Château Margaux—402 casks! Even in the 1980s, we never harvested such a huge volume. As the cellar master mentioned, the picking had to be interrupted for six days because there were not enough vats...

Château Margaux 1893 is a remarkable wine, considered the finest of the century (the 19th, of course). Even today, this wine displays astonishing power and freshness. How did they manage that? Producing such a huge quantity while achieving such exceptional quality remains a mystery—we do not have enough information to explain it. (September 2024)

This quite large crop (though much smaller than 1893) was of truly exceptional quality. Even today, it remains one of the greatest bottles of Margaux we have ever had the priviledge to taste. This wine displays astonishing freshness, remarkable length and smoothness. You would never guess that this wine is over 150 years old! (September 2024)

Described as very powerful, tannic and lacking a bit of finesse in its youth, this wine—like the 1855—left us speechless when we tasted it in 2016. With remarkable aromatic complexity, it surprised us with its youthfulness, softness, and charm. Extraordinary! (February 2016)

Excellent quality. A very powerful wine, which took a long time to come around. (February 2025)

1864 was the first significantly large crop after the devastation caused by powdery mildew which appeared in 1852 and was brought under control beginning in 1860 thanks to sulphur sprays.

This vintage enjoyed an excellent reputation. The wines were both powerful and mellow, much more attractive than the great majority of wines of that era. (February 2025)

A complicated vintage and a small harvest producing only 40,000 bottles, this wine was enormously impressive when we tasted it in 2014. The tannins had given way to an extraordinary softness as if the wine had transformed into a caress with a wonderful array of aromas. (February 2014)

This rather large crop was of remarkable quality—so much so that when Friedrich Engels was asked what his idea of happiness was, he replied, "Château Margaux 1848." This wine today still has an unforgettable freshness. Simply wonderful! (February 2025)

Together with 1848, this vintage made up a pair of both abundant and high-quality years. 1847 was softer and less powerful than 1848; it did not last as long.

"Considered the best that France has produced in many years, it is difficult at this moment to find anything comparable."

(Extract from Christie's wine catalogue of 23rd May 1797).

The first Bordeaux vintage to appear in a Christie's catalogue, in 1776. "An excellent claret with a fine flavour, from the 1771 vintage."