Château Margaux - Margaux 1988 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe2/6/2008

Dunkles Granat mit aufjellendem Rand. Im Bouquet Leder, Korinthe, Rauch, schwarze Pfefferkörner, sich nur langsam öffnend, in der Mitte mit einer minzigen Friche. Massiver Gaumen mit körnigen Tönen, leicht aufrauend, somit noch mit viel Reserven, nicht so finessenreich, wie das von einem Premier eigentlich erwartet wird.

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe11/30/1998

Still not giving all it has to offer, this shows wonderful aromas and flavors of currant, violet, tobacco and earth. Full-bodied and powerful, with a solid underpinning of firm yet silky tannins. A classic Margaux.--1988 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2000

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe9/1/1998

The 1988 has a classic bouquet of violets and black currants intertwined with the vanillin scents of new oak. It is medium bodied and concentrated, but extremely hard and tannic. This elegantly wrought, yet surprisingly tough-textured wine should outlive the 1989. But will it ever provide as much pleasure? Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015. Last tasted, 4/91. Guide Parker

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/1/1993

The 1988 offers a classic bouquet of violets and blackcurrants intertwined with lavish quantities of toasty new oak. Medium-bodied, concentrated, but extremely hard and tannic, this elegantly wrought, slightly herbaceous wine possesses a tougher texture and more astringent tannins than usual. It has begun to reveal more sweetness of fruit, but the wine is slightly compact and angular. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015. Last tasted, 6/93.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byNeal Martin

The 1988 Chateau Margaux is a wine that was always overshadowed by the succeeding pair of vintages and like many 1988s, appeared rather conservative and lacked flair. However, I was gobsmacked by the performance of this wine at 28 years of age. Deep and clean in color, the bouquet is quintessentially Chateau Margaux with blackberry, potpourri, cedar and violets. It has wonderful clarity. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh as a daisy on the entry with a killer line of acidity that offsets those vibrant black and red fruits. There is energy here, vivacity, as if this Château Margaux suddenly realized its true potential after all these years. While it does not possess the length of the 1989 or 1990, there is such pleasure bound into this wine that you care little about that. Maybe I underestimated this wine for many years or perhaps it is a simple case of a "late bloomer." While the 1988 might not belong in the top echelons of releases from this First Growth, it might be considered the undiscovered gem of that prosperous decade for the chateau. Tasted May 2016