2021 Chateau Margaux - 1er Cru Classe Margaux

Falstaff Magazin – 97 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe. Feinwürzig unterlegte schwarze Kirschen, zarte Edelholzwürze, etwas Cassis und Nougat, zart nach Lakritze, mit frischen Orangenzesten unterlegt. Saftig, rote Kirschen, elegant und frisch, ungemein präzise und lebendig, perfekt gereifte Tannine, mineralisch und lange anhaftend, rotbeeriger Nachhall, balanciert und animierend, bereits heute sehr verführerisch, einer der echten Stars dieses Jahrgangs.* - 05/2022

Vinum Magazin – 19/20 pts: *Ungemein fruchtig, präzise gezeichnet, herrlich feinkörniges Tannin; schlank und doch mit Fleisch, grosse Länge; superber, tonischer Wein von perfekten Dimensionen.*

WeinWisser – 18,5+/20pts – GL, TW: *87 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 8 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot, 13,1 Vol.-%, pH 3,64, 75 IPT, 36 % Grand Vin. Verführerisches, sehr komplexes Bouquet, getrocknete Rosenblätter, edle Cassiswürze und getrockneter Rosmarin, im zweiten Ansatz heller Tabak, Lakritze und Preiselbeersaft. Am energiegeladenen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, reifem Extrakt, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und perfekt balancierter Rasse. Im konzentrierten Finale mit Wildkirsche, Estragon, schwarzem Bergpfeffer und fein körniger Adstringenz, mir fehlt hier das gewisse Extra, daher reicht es diesmal für die höhere Note noch nicht.* – 04/2022

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5/20pts – JR: *87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 36% of the production (same as 2020). Cask sample. Fragrant and floral with violet and peony notes. Clean and direct on attack, mid-palate weight and drive on the finish. Low-key but refined tannic frame. Super-length and persistence. Discreet but elegant, if less substance than a wine scoring 18 or higher.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – (95-97) pts – AG: *The 2021 Château Margaux is a powerful, surprisingly brooding wine. According to Technical Director Philippe Bascaules, dry extract numbers are in line with 2019, which is hardly surprising in tasting the wine. Today, the Grand Vin is so primary. The intensity of the dark red/purplish fruit is notable, and yet the wine is positively embryonic. Bright acids and plenty of tannin abound. The 2021 is a rich, penetrating Margaux that is going to need a lot of time.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – NM: *The 2021 Château Margaux, aged in 100% new oak as usual, is clean and precise on the nose, much more discrete than the outgoing Pavillon Rouge and unfolds like a temptress in the glass. Intense dark cherries, hints of blueberry and trademark crushed violets then start to billow, all exquisitely defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky smooth veneer that does a good job disguising the structure underneath. Surprisingly plush given the growing season, the concentration is very impressive with no hard edges. It's a very Margaux-like Château Margaux insofar that it could not come from any other appéllation.* - 04/2022

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (96-98) pts – JL: *Deep garnet in color, the wine opens with lilacs, spice, black currants, tobacco leaf and a hint of cedar in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is elegant, polished, silky, fresh and reserved in character. Classic, (In a good way) there is lift, vibrancy and poise to the fruit on the mid-palate, leaving you with a supple, refined, discreet, almost formal finish. Give it 5 years or so and it will be even better. Clearly, this is one of the wines of the vintage! The wine blends 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, 13.1% ABV, pH 3.64. The Grand Vin was produced using only 36% of the harvest. Picking took place September 24 - October 13. Drink from 2029-2060.* - 03/2022