Château Margaux - Margaux 1997 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe7/31/2008

The best of the First Growth ‘97s. A limpid, garnet/ruby core with ruby rim. The nose is exquisite with great delineation and purity with much more vigour that the other Firsts. Mint, blackberries, violets and blueberries all leap from the glass, oblivious to the fact that they stem from a poor vintage. The palate has a slightly voluptuous feel to it, rounded black fruits, raspberry, cassis, tobacco, graphite and a touch of Asian spice towads the finish. Sheer class. A superb success for Paul Pontallier in a difficult vintage. Drink now-2025. Tasted September 2006.

Wein Wisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe2/6/2008

Aufhellendes Rubin mit ziegelrotem und orngem Rand. Süsses, offenes Bouquet, Preiselbeeren, Zwetschgen, dominikanischer Tabak, schöne burgundische Reife in der Nase. Im Gaumen sehr süss, fein und delikat, tänzerisch, seit Beginn viel Spass machend. Jetzt in seiner besten Zeit.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/1/2000

Undoubtedly a success for the vintage, this immensely charming, dark ruby/purple-colored wine exhibits floral, black currant, and smoky, toasty oak aromas. There is admirable richness, excellent ripeness, not a great deal of density, or superb concentration, but plenty of finesse, suppleness, and character. It can be drunk young, or cellared for 12-15 years.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/2000

All in finesse, with berry, currant and light vanilla character. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely, long finish. Gorgeous core of fruit in this wine. Drink now through 2004.

Wine Advocate

90-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/1/1999

The 1997 Chateau Margaux is an immensely charming, open-knit, beautifully made wine offering soft, lush blackberry/cassis fruit intermixed with toasty oak. The wine exhibits excellent concentration, a seductive personality, and an easy-going, round, expansive finish. It should be drinkable after bottling in June, and last for 15 or more years. I would not be surprised to see this wine's rating rise; I just wish it were less expensive. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015.

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/1/1998

Margaux, which made an outstanding wine in 1995, and a prodigiously monumental wine in 1996, turned out an alluring, soft, delicious 1997 that will offer immediate appeal. The harvest occurred between September 15 and October 2. Fifty percent of the crop made it into the grand vin, which is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. While the administrator, Paul Pontallier, informed me that the 1997 has the same amount of tannin as the 1985, the wines' texture and styles, while not totally different, are dissimilar. The wine exhibits a dense purple color, followed by an open-knit, charming nose of creme de cassis, pain grille, and minerals. In the mouth, the wine reveals beautifully ripe fruit, low acid, a suave, silky texture, remarkable suppleness and complexity for such a young wine, and a round, generous, moderately long finish. This wine will be drinkable when released, but keep for 15-20 years. Think of it as a sweeter, fruitier version of the 1985.