Margaux - Margaux 2018

Vinous

98

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 Margaux is an infant. Today, the tannins are unusually searing, but then again, the 2018 is a wine in which all the elements are dialed up to the maximum. Time in the glass releases the fruit, revealing a luxurious, opulent Château Margaux built for the cellar. Cedar, tobacco, dried flowers and mint develop with a bit of coaxing. Rich, deep and utterly beguiling, the 2018 is a dramatic wine that will thrill readers lucky enough to own it. 98+

Wine Advocate

100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

The 2018 Château Margaux is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, representing 36% of the crop this year. The wine has a pH of 3.8 and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal tantalizing scents of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and Black Forest cake with hints of redcurrant jelly, rose oil, dark chocolate and cedar chest plus a touch of star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit, fragrant earth and floral layers, supported by a rock-solid structure of exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless backbone of freshness, finishing with fantastic length. This is classic Margaux at its most seductive, although it is, rather amazingly, approachable and absolutely delicious right now. But, to enjoy its full glory, you will want to cellar it for at least 6-8 years and then watch it metamorphize over the next 40+ years.

Jeb DUNNUCK

100

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

Based on 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Château Margaux is a magical, incredibly sexy expression of this Château that sports a dense purple color as well as a thrilling bouquet of blueberries, cassis, acacia flowers, scorched earth, sandalwood, and violets. Incredibly concentrated and full-bodied on the palate, it nevertheless has an almost Burgundian sense of finesse and elegance, with an ethereal texture, silky yet massive amounts of tannins, notable freshness, and brilliant length. The alcohol hit a whopping 14%, which is high by this estate's standards, but everything is flawlessly integrated, the balance is perfect, and I certainly can't find anything that could be better. This 2018 is going to be relatively drinkable at an early age (do your best to hide bottles for 7-8 years) yet last for 75+.

The Wine Cellar Insider

100

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

Perfectly poised between opulent and refined, rich and elegant, this is a beautiful example of Chateau Margaux with intense notes of lilacs, violets, cigar box, red fruits and espresso. The palate has concentration, but there is also freshness and depth of flavor, so the silky textured wine is light on its feet and effortless to drink. The seamless finish provides great energy, soft, silky tannins and a gorgeous sense of purity to the fruit that does not want to quit. Made from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, 14% ABV.

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Château Margaux was observed over a period of 24 hours. I used the word "luxurious" to describe the nose when I encountered this First Growth from barrel, and it’s still apt to use now the wine is in bottle. It just blossoms over time, revealing gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, crushed violet and peony, and hints of shucked oyster shells, all delivered with the precision one expects from a first-division Claret. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, still as silky-smooth as ever, offering blood-orange-infused black fruit that is crystalline on the finish. You almost miss the structure behind this Château Margaux that should ensure it will age over the next three or four decades. Utterly sublime.

Wine Spectator

98

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

This struts along with supreme confidence, as a cashmere-textured structure effortlessly carries a prodigious set of warmed cassis, plum reduction and blackberry compote flavors, pulling in alder, bergamot, black and red tea and iron notes. Still manages to come across as restrained in the end. A beautiful wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2028 through 2040. 10,833 cases made. –JM

Falstaff

98

byPeter Moserthe1/29/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, feiner Wasserrand. Süße tabakige Nuancen, saftige schwarze Beerenfrucht, zart nach Cassis und Lakitze, feiner Edelholztouch, rotbeerige Noten unterlegt, öffnet sich gut mit etwas Luft. Saftig, reife Herzkirschen, Brombeerkonfit, seidige, tragende Tannine, rotbeerig und mit einer bezaubernden Frische ausgerüstet, salzig-mineralisch, zeigt sich bereits sehr zugänglich, verführerische Frühphase, sicheres Entwicklungspotenzial. (2020 -2070)

Wine Spectator

98

byJames Molesworththe1/26/2021

This struts along with supreme confidence, as a cashmere-textured structure effortlessly carries a prodigious set of warmed cassis, plum reduction and blackberry compote flavors along, pulling in extra alder, bergamot, black and red tea and iron notes. Still manages to come across as restrained in the end. A really beautiful wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2028 through 2040. 10,833 cases made. — JM

Yvesbeck.wine

93

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Beaucoup de fraîcheur avec des notes de baies rouges, suivies de quelques nuances d'élevage. En bouche le vin se distingue par sa fraîcheur également. Il est dense, expressif et parfaitement équilibré. Bonne intensité aromatique jusqu’en fin de bouche où je retrouve les notes de baies rouges. Belle réussite.

Jamessuckling.com

100

byJames Sucklingthe1/19/2021

So much ash, tobacco and earth to the bright blackberry and currant aromas. Flowers too. Fresh. Full-bodied with seamless tannins that spread across your palate and caress every square centimeter. It’s shows loads of ripe-berry, cherry, currant and chocolate character, as well as walnut and light cedar. Then the finish goes on for minutes . Extremely refined and elegant, despite the structure. 90% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc, 4% merlto and 2% petit verdot. A joy to taste, but drink after 2025.

Decanter.com

98

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

Vinous

95-97

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Château Margaux was picked from September 17 until October 13, the Cabernet Sauvignon from the beginning of October. The word that springs to mind on encountering this for the first time is "luxurious." The supremely pure bouquet features raspberry, blueberry, violet petals, black currant pastilles and a hint of vanilla; it is opulent rather than rich. The palate is medium-bodied with very plush, velvety-smooth tannins. It sashays along nicely and, atypically for a 2018, reaches a gentle crescendo toward the linear finish. It is amazing how well this contains the excesses of the growing season and retains the sense of Château Margaux.

WeinWisser

19,5

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Vinous

95-98

byAntonio Gallonithe5/3/2019

Château Margaux's 2018 Grand Vin boasts off the charts textural richness and intensity from the very first taste. A huge core of dark fruit, potent, muscular tannins are two of the signatures. Dense and explosive in the glass, with breathtaking concentration, the 2018 is one of the finest Margauxs in recent memory. Lavender, rose petal and spice add striking perfume in this compelling, memorable Grand Vin. In 2018, the Grand Vin represents 36% of the crop and is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Jeb DUNNUCK

98-100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

One of the wines of the vintage on the Left Bank is the 2018 Château Margaux, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot. A thrilling, sensational Margaux that reminds me of the 2015 at this stage, it reveals a saturated purple/blue color as well as heavenly notes of black raspberries, blueberries, cassis, spring flowers, high-class smoke tobacco, and graphite. Deep, full-bodied, and seamless, it builds incrementally on the palate and carries masses of fine tannins, no hard edges, and awesome purity of fruit. Given its purity, depth of fruit, and texture, it’s going to be approachable with just short-term cellaring, but I suspect it won’t start to hit prime time for at least a decade.

Yvesbeck.wine

98-99

byYves Beckthe5/1/2019

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Pourpre violacé. Que de complexité et de finesse ! D’entrée il y a un mariage entre la minéralité, le fruit et la fraîcheur. Tout en équilibre, pas dans la démonstration mais bien dans la complexité. Notes de baies rouges, de menthe et de cannelle. Au palais c’est également la fraîcheur et le fruit qui sont mis en avant. Il y a une séduisante et légère sucrosité, de la race, de la densité et des tannins parfaitement intégrés qui assurent idéalement les arrières. Beaucoup de précision et de finesse dans la structure tannique. Un vin qui surprend par son aptitude à si bien marier densité et puissance tout en mettant la finesse et l’élégance en avant. En fin de bouche la finale parvient brillamment à mettre le terroir de Margaux en avant. Un vin fin et puissant, paré pour aller dans le temps. 2026-2058

Vinifera

98

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Belle robe foncée. Le nez est d'une grande finesse d'expression sans exhubérance. Chaque élèment paraît à sa place, les notes fruitées s'allient à de très fines notes épicées et balsamiques. Corps pulpeux à la texture fondante, suave, en filigrane de laquelle apparaît une trame tannique assez ferme mais sans aucune rigidité, structurante dans le sens noble du terme. La finale, longue et savoureuse laisse une empreinte très élégante.   

My Bettane + Desseauve

97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/24/2019

Beaucoup plus de chair et de milieu de bouche que les 2016 et 2017, classe évidente, grande longévité assurée, un grand millésime qui rivalisera avec 2015.

The Wine Cellar Insider

97-99

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Deep in color with an intense, dark ruby hue, the nose offers violets, lilacs, espresso, wet earth and cigar wrapper along with ripe, deep red fruits. There is freshness and soft, silky vibrant tannins. The wine feels quite powerful in the moment and its classic design reminds me of 2005. This is not going to be fun to taste young but with Chateau Margaux patience is always a virtue. Made from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 14% alcohol. The Grand Vin was produced using only 36% of the harvest. Picking commenced September 17, finishing October 13.

Wine Advocate

97-100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The 2018 Château Margaux is made of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The grand vin represents 36% of the crop this year. The wine has a pH of 3.8 and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it comes prancing out of the glass with energetic Morello cherries, black raspberries and blackberry pie scents plus nuances of fragrant soil, candied violets, lavender, sandalwood, unsmoked cigars and black olives with a gentle wave of cassis and licorice emerging with coaxing. Full-bodied, the palate is charged with the most amazing energy, delivering layer after layer of red and black fruits with tons of earthy nuances, framed by the most exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins, finishing with amazing freshness and an extraordinarily long-lingering perfume. Magnificent.

Decanter.com

98

byJane Ansonthe4/17/2019

Without doubt an incredible Margaux, although whether it will equal the 2015 remains to be seen. It's less serious than the 2016 but every bit as good, floating above the palate, performing that acrobatic trick that only happens in the really great years. It's silky yet intense and powerful, with sweet, fleshy and succulent raspberry cut through with fresh rosemary and sage that add texture and grip. The menthol side of the Cabernet is already coming through, which suggests the fruit was just perfectly ripe - these are aromatics that you don't get in true heatwave years like 2003. The flavours stretch out, gently gripping and keeping you involved in what is unfurling. 
Harvested between 17 September and 13 October, with an average yield of 31hl/ha due to both mildew and the concentration of the berries that occured at the end of ripening. The impact was uneven, depending on the vineyard blocks, so yields actually varied between 15 and 50hl/ha. The best plots were the least affected, which means that unusually there is more production in the grand vin and in Pavillon, with less in the third and fourth wines. Final numbers are 36% of production here, 30% in Pavillon Rouge.

Wine Enthusiast

97-99

byRoger Vossthe4/16/2019

 It is impressive how the serious structure of this wine has been totally absorbed by the depth of fruit. A dense black currant flavor and bright acidity are balanced by the core of dark tannins and an overall richness. Currently, the end is dominated with tannins that will allow the wine to age.

Jamessuckling.com

99-100

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

Wow. This takes off on the palate the moment you taste it. Aromas and flavors of redcurrants, flowers, cherries and hints of hazelnuts. Full-bodied, tight and compact, but the linear tannins, running down the center of the wine, draw the wine through the finish. Superb.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

99-100

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Vinous

95-98

byAntonio Gallonithe4/1/2019

Château Margaux's 2018 Grand Vin boasts off the charts textural richness and intensity from the very first taste. A huge core of dark fruit, potent, muscular tannins are two of the signatures. Dense and explosive in the glass, with breathtaking concentration, the 2018 is one of the finest Margauxs in recent memory. Lavender, rose petal and spice add striking perfume in this compelling, memorable Grand Vin. In 2018, the Grand Vin represents 36% of the crop and is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.