This vintage which was immediately acknowledged in Bordeaux as a great success, developed very slowly in bottle, especially those wines that were Cabernet Sauvignon-based. We have wondered since that time if the Cabernet had really been picked at full ripeness, in so far as the tannins had remained firm, or even hard, for so many years. It is very likely that today such a vintage would produce a different wine, very probably 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.


Today, this wine displays a nose a bit austere. On the palate, there is a trace of the tannic firmness which has now become a little dry on the finish. The general impression is one of finesse, but it lacks length and density.
The bottles of Château Margaux 1975 are to be drunk now. We do not think they will improve.
(October 2018)