Castle Margaux - Margaux 2010

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

95 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

Saturated ruby-red.  Deep aromas of blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate, complicated by nuances of loam and coffee extract.  Dense, thick and sweet, but with harmonious acidity giving shape and lift to the pungent cassis, spice and tobacco flavors.  Youthfully chewy wine with terrific underlying structure and a very long, sappy finish featuring broad tannins and a hint of licorice.  This has improved considerably since the Primeurs, but I still think the 2009 Margaux is the superior wine.  95 (+?) points

Wine Spectator

98 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

A mouthwatering tobacco leaf note leads the way, quickly followed by steeped black currant and fig fruit, with dark tar and ganache on the back end. Roasted alder and juniper hints hang in the background. Extremely backward, with a firm, tannic structure, this is girded for the long haul. Judging from the finely beaded acidity and lilting echo of lilac that peeks in now, this should acquire sensational aromatics and incredible grace with age. Best from 2018 through 2040.—J.M.

Wine Advocate

99 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

The 2010 is a brilliant Chateau Margaux, as one might expect in this vintage. The percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend hit 90%, the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and only 38% of the crop made it into the Chateau Margaux. Paul Pontallier, the administrator, told me that this wine has even higher levels of tannin than some other extraordinary vintages such as 2005, 2000, 1996, etc. Deep purple, pure and intense, with floral notes, tremendous opulence and palate presence, this is a wine of considerable nobility. With loads of blueberry, black currant and violet-infused fruit and a heady alcohol level above 13.5% (although that looks modest compared to several other first growths, particularly Chateau Latour and Chateau Haut-Brion), its beautifully sweet texture, ripe tannin, abundant depth and profound finish all make for another near-perfect wine that should age effortlessly for 30-40 years. 

Wine Advocate

99 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/8/2013

The Grand Vin is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 1.5% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Bottled in late July, Paul Pontallier reminded me that the Grand Vin takes around six months before it settles down. Still, allowing several minutes aeration, it has a very intense bouquet of dark cherries, boysenberry, crushed stone and a hint of bay leaf that is beautifully defined, but as Paul mentioned, will need a months to blossom. The palate has a beguiling sense of symmetry: spine-tingling poise and tension. This is a magisterial Chateau Margaux with seamlessly integrated oak, pure dark berry fruit and an almost breathless, Burgundy-like purity on the satin textured finish. Utterly seductive, this is an incredible wine that will age for decades. Tasted November 2012.

Jamessuckling.com

100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

This was phenomenal from barrel and remains so. The aromas are spellbinding. It smells like a bouquet of pink roses and then goes to currants, berries and citrus. Full body, with wonderfully refined tannins. It starts discretely and then grows to different levels and dimensions like a slow but big high tide. The texture is so beautiful. Try it in 2020 or beyond

Wein Wisser

20 / 20

the5/31/2011

38% Grand Vin. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 1,5% Cabernet Franc und 1,5% Petit Verdot. Leuchtendes Rubin-Purpur. Faszinierendes Bouquet voller Noblesse und parfümierter Süsse, Veilchen, Maulbeeren, Kirschen, Cassis und verschiedene Edelhölzer, leicht nussig im Untergrund, warmer Arabica-Kaffe-Touch, zarteste Kokosnoten. Samtig-seidiger Gaumenbeginn, eine berauschende Süsse in den Tanninen zeigend, parfümiert, mit einem Hauch Dörrbananen, Zedernholz, dominikanischem Tabak, komplexe, perfekte Adstringenz. Ein Château Margaux mit rekordverdächtigem Tannin, das aber locker integriert ist und dem überwältigenden Wein nichts von seinem seidigen Charme nimmt. Vielleicht is das - in 109 Jahren - ja die Reinkarnation des legendären 1900ers? Paul Pontallier : "Langsam weiss ich nicht mehr, was ich den Besuchern erzählen soll. Beim Jahrgang 2009 erklärte ich, dass ich so etwas Grossartiges in den fast 30 Jahren auf Château Margaux noch nie erlebt habe. Und heuer glaube ich, dass der 2010er noch perfekter und noch grösser ist. Ich hoffe, man merkt das, wenn man die Fassmuster verkostet, sonst werde ich langsam unglaubwürdig." 2020-2060

Wine Advocate

96-98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010 Chateau Margaux: Paul Pontallier was rattling off some interesting statistics about Chateau Margaux. The 2000 (a great, great wine) was 13.1% natural alcohol, the 2005 13.1%, the 2009 13.2%, and the 2010, the highest ever measured, 13.5%. That is still nearly one degree less than the Pauillac first-growth of Chateau Latour at 14.4%. This blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc (representing only 38% of the total production) has the classic, quintessential Margaux character of spring flowers, almost cool-climate precision, medium body, and a seamless integration of tannin, wood and alcohol. The blue and black fruit characteristics are present, and the wine restrained. The most measured and polished of all the first growths I tasted, it is also less concentrated than any of the other first growths, but the elegance is classic. The harvest finished on October 15, which was not their latest by any means. This is one of the few first growths of 2010 where the tannins are remarkably delicate and sweet, and the softness of this wine will provide magical drinking at a relatively early age, yet its balance and concentration will carry it for 20 or more years. Drink 2011-2031

Asian Palate

97-99 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

The amazingly complex 2010 Margaux is a deep ruby colour, with striking aromatics of sweet violets, cedar , blackberries and ripe blackcurrants, leading to rich and really pure fruit flavours and deep velvety tannins on the palate, and a very long finish. The 90% Cabernet Sauvignon has clearly added density and richness to this wine, which will need at least 10 years of bottle age.

Le Point

19,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Fruits noirs, cerise noire, poivre, bouche tendre, fondue, élégante, très fine, tanins doux, joli fruit, les tanins sont là sans qu'on les sente vraiment, d'un toucher délicat comme de la soie, fin, vif. Très élégant, beau cabernet, d'une persistence incroyable. O=2019 G=30 ans

Jamessuckling.com

100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

A phenomenal nose of roses, violets, and other flowers. Subtle yet rich raspberries and currants. It is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. The is a curious wine, almost ethereal. It is all in the front of the palate with ultra-fine tannins. It is full and very, very rich but it is forever balanced and in harmony What a wine. It is a pinpointed wine. So cerebral. It sends shivers down my spine. Incredible.

TAST

19-19,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Texture aérienne malgré une très forte charge en tannin, nez floral d’une finesse et d’une pureté indescriptibles et propres à ce cru, tannin ultra aristocratique de cabernet de premier cru, encore un chef d’œuvre à l’actif du château mais avec moins d’évidence immédiate à ce stade qu’en 2009.

Decanter Magazine

20 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/30/2011

Superb colour, a lovely concentration of polished flavours that stay on the palate forever, unbelievable freshness and density, a truly great wine. Drink 2020-50. (20 points)

Wine Advocate

97-99 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2011

A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc with a pH 3.65 (it was 3.75 in 2009.) The Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the nose more than any other vintage of Chateau Margaux that I have tasted out of barrel, lending it a Pauillac-like personality. Blackberry, graphite and a soupcon of liquorice. The tannins are exceptionally fine, real backbone here and a sense of ambition that I think neither the 2008 nor even the 2009 demonstrated. The clarity on the finish is truly outstanding and it seems to mellow and gain more sensuality with further aeration. Tasted March 2011.

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Margaux - A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the wine is defined in part because of the effective low yields. Only 38% of the harvest was included in the Grand Vin. The rest of the harvest was divided as follows. An equal portion of 38% went into Pavillon Rouge. The remaining wine was divided between their third and the new fourth wine. 210 marks what could be the lowest production ever recorded in Chateau Margaux. . Deep ruby on color, with an enticing perfume filled with smoke, cedar, cassis, violets, oak, tobacco, spice and black raspberries. But that’s not where the excitement is found. In the mouth, pure elegance, silk, satin and velvet, incredibly plush, refined, polished and long, this intensely pure Cabernet Sauvignon based wine remains on your palate for at least 60 seconds. 2010 Chateau Margaux exemplifies precision, purity, balance and elegance with a seamless finish. Everything is in balance with perfect harmony. 98-100 Pts

Wine Enthusiast

98-100 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/5/2011

Very concentrated wood and tannins. With 90 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, this is initially more tannic that many Château Margaux vintages. Then all the elegance and style of Margaux comes through, with acidity, spice and great ripeness. An outstanding wine.-R.V.

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2011

Superfocused and superracy, with torrents of cherry, raspberry and plum fruit. Offering terrific mouthfeel, this glides by effortlessly, with a fantastic perfume developing on the finish. Long and iron-tinged. Really, really fine-grained. Other than 2006, this is the only vintage since 2000 with as much Cabernet Sauvignon (90 percent). Tasted non-blind. —J.M.