Château Margaux 2022 - 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

This cru has never disappointed since it was bought by the Mentzelopoulos family in 1977. and easily dominates the entire Margaux appellation. Particularly noteworthy are the rare marriage of finesse in density and freshness in opulence, without any over-ripening of the grapes, achieved with a very high majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A dozen hectares planted with white grapes produce Pavillon Blanc, which in just a few years has become one of three or four of Bordeaux's finest dry whites, for its richness of constitution aromatic nobility of ideally ripe Sauvignon. The red red wine needs long bottle ageing.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

An extraordinary vintage gives birth to an extraordinary wine, which draws out all the contained power of small grapes of a concentration rarely seen at Margaux. The density of the color impresses, as do the aromas that slowly but surely awaken: classy breeding (cedar, vanilla, smoke) lightly spices up a very fresh bouquet of red and black fruits, bramble, rose, peony and paprika. Powerful and concentrated from the outset, lined with tight, powdery tannins, very minty and salivating on the finish, the palate is simply monumental. And amazingly straightforward, despite the high ripeness of the grapes. It will defy the decades. 2030-2055

About the domain :

A myth at the end of a long avenue of plane trees. The majesty of the neo-Palladian mansion (built in 1810), which succeeded a former stronghold belonging to some of the region's leading families, has contributed to its renown. The estate was created at the end of the 16th century, and the vineyard at the end of the following century, by a relative of the Pontac family. Passing through several hands over the centuries, it was acquired in 1977 by André Mentzelopoulos (Felix Potin). Drainage, replanting, integrated cooperage... a vast renovation of the estate was undertaken, in the vineyard, the cellar and the château, bringing the cru into the modern era. The new winery, designed by Norman Foster, was inaugurated in 2015. The 99-hectare vineyard also owes its quality to its exceptional terroir, a vast, superb limestone slab covered with fine gravel. It has been run since 1980 by Corinne Mentzelopoulos, André's daughter, who for over thirty years was able to count on Paul Pontallier, who joined the château in 1983 and became director in 1990: a career that sadly came to a premature end in March 2016. Replacing him in 2017 is Philippe Bascaules, an agricultural engineer who worked at the château for twenty years before heading up a major Californian estate. This cru has never disappointed since it was bought by the Mentzelopoulos family in 1977, and easily dominates the whole Margaux appellation. In particular, we admire the rare marriage of finesse in density and freshness in opulence, without any over-ripening of the grapes, achieved with a very high majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A dozen hectares planted with white grapes produce Pavillon-Blanc, which in just a few years has become one of the three or four greatest dry whites in Bordeaux, thanks to its rich constitution and the aromatic nobility of ideally ripe Sauvignon. The red wine needs long bottle ageing to assert its noble character.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Paul Pontalier, an emblematic figure and director of Château Margaux since 1983, passed away the day after the 2015 harvest, and Philippe Bascaules is now at the helm of this vintage of unrivalled consistency. Tasting a great Château Margaux at its peak remains a unique experience, so distinctive within its appellation is its characteristic floral bouquet, the depth of its flavors and the silkiness of its tannins. All of these characteristics are due to the superb terroir, composed mainly of gravel, which suits the Cabernets that make up the heart of Margaux so well, and which has remained virtually unchanged since its classification. Thanks to improved equipment and an even more rigorous selection process, the latest vintages appear to be the most complete yet. Under the name Pavillon Blanc, the estate also produces a wine which, thanks to a more exacting approach to Sauvignon ripeness, has become one of Bordeaux's finest whites.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Dark blueberry aromas and powerfully rich tannins create a dense, concentrated wine, perhaps the most concentrated of all time. This wine's impressive structure will allow it to age for many years. Drink from 2028. - Roger Voss

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The Grand Vin Château Margaux 2022 is composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, from just 40% of total production. Aged in new barrels, it boasts a remarkable pH of 3.61, which is low for the vintage, and an alcohol content of 14.3%, with a level of tannins unmatched since 2010. It brings another unrivalled level of purity, elegance and finesse. Quite simply, this is a sensational, legendary Margaux in the making. Crème de cassis, blue fruits, spring flowers, crayon and violets define the bouquet. The palate is full-bodied, with a complex profile, harmonious texture and perfect balance. Although it shows the ripe, pure and already approachable style of the vintage, I wouldn't be surprised to see it close up over the next 7-8 years, given its density and structure. It won't reach its tasting optimum for another 15 to 20 years. This should be one of those wines that evolves gracefully over the next 50-75 years. 2040-2115

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

The nose approaches gently, light as a butterfly, skimming over the senses before suddenly displaying all the splendor of its colors and patterns. A concentrated heart of black and red fruits is revealed, enhanced by a stony minerality and a bewitching touch of black licorice. Then comes the incandescent red rose. The palate unfolds like an infinitely tender embrace, enveloping the palate in its sensual texture, revealing all its depth and complexity. The tannins, of unprecedented opulence, bring a fine but assertive structure, pure, like an Apollo to whom no one can resist. 2028-2058

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, airy, fragrant, delicate, deep, intense and ripe. Unctuous blackberry, roasted strawberry and, to a lesser extent, violet notes are combined with creamy red berry fruit, blueberry, blue plum and discreet hints of nutmeg, iris, dry gravel, delicate hints of eucalyptus and spices. The palate is beautifully mineral, fresh, elegant and gourmet, with a fresh, acidic structure, lovely complexity, a certain brilliance of fruit, suppleness, energy, purity and substance. Fullness with finesse. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of creamy raspberry and, more slightly, fresh/puffy violet plum, combined with hints of chocolate, cardamom, toasted almond, as well as a subtle floral touch, elegant roasted berries and a subtle hint of sweet blond tobacco. Chalky, elegant tannins. Chewy finish/persistence. Richness and intensity with delicacy, precision and balance.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Flowers, flowers and more flowers permeate the fragrance before revealing all the spices, as well as notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, Cuban cigar and blackberry. The palate is breathtaking. It's so sexy and sensual it should be illegal! The fruit coats the mouth with endless layers of flavors that support the palate. The balance between motor oil weight and perfect intensity is almost surreal. The finish leaves the 60-second mark in the rearview mirror and carries on. Greatness in a glass. If you're on a budget, this could be the best vintage of Château Margaux ever made, and that's saying something! This is a unique style for Château Margaux, highlighting its volume and concentration. But as you can see from my notes, I love it! This wine is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Petit Verdot has been entirely allocated to Pavillon Rouge. Its 14.6% alcohol content is the highest in the estate's history. Its pH is 3.61. Yields were barely 25 hectoliters per hectare. Only 40% of the harvest was used to make the Grand Vin. Harvesting took place from September 8 to 28, marking one of the earliest starts to the vintage in the estate's history. Drink between 2030 and 2065.