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Paul Pontallier is clear that this is possibly the best Ch Margaux that he has made. He points out that although it was a hot year in Margaux, it was not too dry. The subsoil of clay ensured that the vines didn't suffer from a lack of moisture and the leaves stayed green until long after harvest. This is the most concentrated Margaux ever but it remains superfine and pure with silky, ripe tannins and that sure touch of class that typifies this Chateau. Dark blackberry fruit, exquisite balance and great purity make this very exciting indeed.
Paul Pontallier is clear that this is possibly the best Ch Margaux that he has made. He points out that although it was a hot year in Margaux, it was not too dry. The subsoil of clay ensured that the vines didn't suffer from a lack of moisture and the leaves stayed green until long after harvest. This is the most concentrated Margaux ever but it remains superfine and pure with silky, ripe tannins and that sure touch of class that typifies this Chateau. Dark blackberry fruit, exquisite balance and great purity make this very exciting indeed.
This was the finest performance by this wine that I have seen since it was released. I did not expect the 2003 Chateau Margaux to show this well in a vintage where the southern part of the Medoc was clearly less impressive than the north. However, it is a beautiful, dark plum/purple-tinged effort with sensational aromatics, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a youthfulness, precision and freshness that belie what one generally associates with this vintage. It can be drunk now and over the next 15-20 years. Kudos to Chateau Margaux.
Am I being too stingy with the 2003 Chateau Margaux? A wine of extraordinary complexity and intensity, it reveals a deep purple color, a style not unlike the 1990 Margaux (possibly even more concentrated), a velvety texture, and notes of spring flowers interwoven with camphor, melted licorice, creme de cassis, and pain grille. Not a blockbuster, it offers extraordinary intensity as well as a surreal delicacy/lightness. There is riveting freshness to this offering, which tips the scales at a lofty (for this estate) 13.5% alcohol, as well as an alluring sweetness and accessibility. It probably will tighten up over the next few years. Nevertheless, it is a profound Chateau Margaux that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2035.
An extraordinary wine and undeniably one of the great wines of the Medoc, and qualitatively a wine that towers over what other estates produced in the appellation of Margaux, the 2003 Chateau Margaux is made in a style that almost mirrors Lafite Rothschild in 2003. Last year I thought it could represent a hypothetical blend of the 1990 and 1996, but the wine has taken on even more opulence and seductiveness in an almost atypical but still fragrant, elegant, classic Chateau Margaux personality. Dense ruby/purple to the rim with an extraordinary floral nose intermixed with blackberries, cassis, mineral, licorice, and some vanilla, the wine is dense, opulent, voluptuously textured, with wonderful sweetness (reminiscent of 1982 and 1990 in that sense), low acidity, but tremendous concentration and an almost seamless integration of all components – alcohol, tannin, new wood, and acidity. This is truly sumptuous stuff that should drink reasonably well young after 4 or 5 years in the bottle and age for 30+ years. Bravo! Drink: 2009-2035
This shows great depth on the nose, with fruit, mineral and a meaty character. Very rich and decadent for Margaux. Full-bodied, with a solid core of sweet and silky tannins and a long, long finish. This is very racy and rich, with a fabulous velvety texture. Goes on and on. The most concentrated Margaux ever. -- J.S.
Very deep ruby and incredibly rich on the glass, almost like Port, masses of blackcurrant fruit yet not 'showy', very compact texture, very dense and powerful, but not in the slightest bit heavy, showing freshness and fragrance of fruit. Will be a great wine. Drink: 2010-2030.
Plump, silky and seductive are the words often used to describe wines from Margaux. Because of their style, they tend to be user friendly and more approachable when young. This is in part due to its terroir which is comprised of the thinnest soil as well as the highest proportion of chunky gravel in all of the Médoc. It drains well but also is it more susceptible to vintage variation. Margaux wines tend to have the highest proportions of Merlot within the core of the Médoc further adding to their ample roundness and openness. Margaux is home to the largest number of classified growths including its namesake first growth, Château Margaux, as well as third growths, Palmer and d'Issan.
