Castle Margaux - Margaux 2013

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

The 2013 Château Margaux has an attractive bouquet that compared to fellow recent vintages appears earthy in style (as it appeared in barrel), offering a mixture of black and red fruit, bay leaf and cedar. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes through strongly - no surprise given that there is 97% of the final blend! The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a pleasing seam of acidity. It is not the greatest Château Margaux that the late Paul Pontallier ever made, but it is commendable for the vintage and there is a sense of harmony and composure towards the finish with hints of black pepper and mint lingering on the aftertaste. Enjoy this over the next 15 years, though I am not sure it has the substance to warrant maturation for a longer period.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

the3/31/2016

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2016

A firm and tight Margaux with structure and elegance. Full bodied and tight. Lovely silky tannins and layers of texture and flavor. Currant and chocolate undertones. 94% cabernet sauvignon, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot. Drink in 2018.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/29/2014

A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine that reflects the vintage, the 2013 Chateau Margaux is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. For the first time, there is no Merlot in the blend. Moreover, only 38% of the crop made it into Margaux, a finesse-styled, classic effort offering notes of spring flowers, blue and red fruits, decent acidity, sweet tannin, and a lovely, round, medium-bodied mouthfeel. The 2013 is not as concentrated as a great vintage, nor does it have the power and length of a top year, but it is a well-made, charming red to enjoy during its first 10-12 years of life.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/16/2014

(94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot):  Full, deep red.  Restrained but very deep aromas of blueberry, redcurrant and quinine; a real step up in concentration from the Pavillon Rouge.  Sharply focused and gripping in the mouth, with enticingly sappy, creamy red and dark berry flavors complicated by minty tobacco and sweet spices.  Finishes very broad and long, with suave tannins and a lingering impression of vibrancy.

timatkin.com

94 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe5/7/2014

Paul Pontallier omitted Merlot from his grand vin in 2013 because it was “very disappointing”. But the quality of his Cabernet made up for it. The result is deliciously drinkable, with fine tannins, chalky minerality, aromatic cassis notes and good underlying structure.

matthewjukes.com

17,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/23/2014

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byRichard Hemmingsthe4/22/2014

94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Succulent, juicy, indulgent, sweet fruit. Extremely finely balanced – technically flawless, especially structural perspective. But inevitably weaker in intensity and complexity than the headline vintages.

Vinous

91-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/17/2014

The 2013 Margaux is impressive. I could describe the aromas and flavors, but ultimately, the 2013 is really a wine of texture above all else. An intensely floral finish gives lift to the dark red fruit in an understated, classy wine long on finesse. For the first time, Margaux includes no Merlot in 2013. This is a terrific showing. The blend is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17-17,5 / 20

the4/15/2014

 Presque exclusivement produit avec du cabernet sauvignon, le vin montre une pureté aromatique admirable et son corps aérien, plus dessiné que peint, plaira certainement aux esthètes, mais manquera un peu de sensualité pour les autres. Il sera fascinant de suivre son évolution en barrique et, éventuellement, l’enrichissement de sa texture au contact du bois et de l’oxygène.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/15/2014

The Château Margaux is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with no Merlot this year due to coulure and was picked between 30 September and 11 October. It represents 38% of the total harvest. It has a very masculine slightly earthy bouquet, a little more introverted than previous vintages, opening with time to reveal its trademark dried violet aromas. The palate is medium-bodied, silky smooth on the entry. There is not a huge weight in the mouth but it glides or rather flows nicely. It is a seductive Margaux, not a long-term wine for the estate but a success considering the vintage.

Decanter.com

18,25 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/14/2014

Lovely fragrant nose – floral-sweet, the perfume of Margaux. A textbook Margaux  with a hint of Musigny, all delicacy and purity with an undeniable sense of  place.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/8/2014

Spectacular for the vintage. This is a wine that I want to buy. The aromas are like rose petals and perfume. Speechless. Palate is full-bodied but refined and beautiful, with perfectly polished tannins. It’s wonderfully balanced. 99% cabernet sauvignon and 1% petit verdot.      

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2014

Supple, with flavors of cherry preserves and red currant paste, lined with subtle bergamot, incense and black tea notes. Long, refined and graceful. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/3/2014

94 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 % Petit Verdot - also kein Merlot! 22 hl/ha. Tiefes Purpur. Das Bouquet zeige eine feine, pflaumige Süsse, unterlegt mit Edelhölzer, dunkle Rosen. Dominikanischer Tabak und feinen Malzspuren welche das Bouquet abbinden. Im Gaumen feinfüllig mit elegant stützender Adstringenz, im Innern mit floralen, aber doch reifen Cabernetnoten, schwarzer Pfeffer, Brombeeren und Lakritze, langes Finale. Ein kleines Wunder in einem so extrem schwierigen Jahr, was die Theorie der rettenden Superterroirs erklärt. Normalereise macht ja der Merlot eine süssliche Prise Erotik im Blend im Blend - jetzt ist es halt ein sensationelles Cabernet-Steak ohne Sauce.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe3/31/2014

For the first time, there is no Merlot in this wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is complemented by small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It’s a lovely, aromatic wine, on the delicate side, with sustained black currant fruits and gentle tannins. The aftertaste is deliciously fruity and fine.