Margaux - Margaux 2020

Vinous

98-98

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2025

The 2020 Château Margaux has an ethereal bouquet, blossoming with each swirl to reveal scents of blackberry, ash, tobacco and touches of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied and utterly harmonious, with fine tannins, beautifully knitted oak and subtle touches of white pepper and graphite toward the finish. This is amongst the greatest wines of the 2020 vintage. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Wine Advocate

97

byWilliam Kelleythe4/6/2023

The 2020 Château Margaux is a brilliant young wine, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with hints of rose petals, iris, burning embers and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with terrific tension, beautifully refined tannins and a long, penetration finish, this is a vibrant, dynamic Margaux that stands out as the most classically proportioned wine of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 trio.

Jeb DUNNUCK

97

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

As to the Grand Vin, the 2020 Château Margaux is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, pulled from a tiny 36% of the total production, that spent 20 months in new barrels. It has that classic Château Margaux sense of elegance and complexity and offers full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe currants, blueberries, acacia flowers, crushed stone, and sandalwood that develop with time in the glass. With remarkable purity as well as flawless balance, it's a seriously concentrated, powerful 2020 that still just glides across the palate with no hard edges, silky tannins, and a great finish. I love everything about this wine. It's going to flirt with perfection in 7-8 years and evolve for 50-75 years. It actually reminds me slightly of the 2016.

Jamessuckling.com

100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2023

Gorgeous aromas of dark plums and violets. Orange peel, too. Some crushed stone. Bark. Stems. Iron shavings. Full-bodied, but very tight and compacted. The tannins are all here making it very structured, yet they are polished and melted together. Needs years to show all of its greatness. Incredible polish and structure. More structured than the 2019. Try after 2030 and beyond.

Vinous

98

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Margaux Grand Vin is ravishing. At once refined and exuberant, Margaux beautifully captures the spirit of the vintage. Layers of dark fruit, spice, lavender, crushed flowers and leather open graciously, revealing a wine of uncommon depth and finesse. The 100% new oak is not at all perceptible. Enveloping on the palate, with striking resonance and exceptional balance, the 2020 is very clearly a great modern Margaux. It's a brilliant effort from Margaux and the team led by Managing Director Philippe Bascaules.

Vinous

98

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Château Margaux was one of the highlights of the barrel samples originally sent to my home during the lockdown, a wine that I afforded 24 hours to open. Visiting the château to taste the wine in bottle, alas, I cannot loiter around an entire day! But it has a compelling bouquet with blackberry, crushed stone, pressed violet and a light petrichor scent - perhaps stricter than I recall from barrel. The palate has wonderful balanced, filigree tannins, creamy in texture with enormous depth and gentle grip. There is mesmerizing symmetry in this First Growth with a precise and very sustained slightly peppery finish. It's a Château Margaux from the top drawer.

Yvesbeck.wine

99

byYves Beckthe1/3/2023

Château Margaux 2020 est très appliqué dans sa manière de se révéler et de se profiler. Ainsi, il
faut imaginer une série d'éléments qui s'affichent de manière coordonnée, en prenant soin de ne
pas dépasser ou effacer autrui. La finesse olfactive se reflète parfaitement en bouche, dès
l'attaque où le vin brille de sa rondeur, de son ampleur et de sa tendresse incarnée par des tannins
souples et veloutés. C'est l'entrée en matière, car l'on se doute bien qu'il ne va pas en rester là... et
cela devient évident au fil du cheminement du palais. Les tannins s'affirment en fin de bouche et
sont idéalement secondés, respectivement complétés, par une acidité structurante et bien
aiguisée qui agit en coulisse. On la sous-estime quelque peu, tout comme les tannins d'ailleurs,
mais l'ensemble appuie la finale de manière convaincante et imposante. Un très grand
Château Margaux qu'il faudra sagement attendre. Et comme il faudra aussi attendre le Pavillon
Rouge, il restera le Pavillon Blanc pour beaucoup de plaisir et un peu de soif ! 2027-2047

TASTED

100

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

Refined, floral and superbly elegant with violet notes, plenty of crushed berries, cassis, black truffle, fine tobacco and discreet wood notes underneath. Excellent grip and structure on the palate, really mouth-filling without heaviness, refined texture with powdery cocoa powder like tannins, great volume with layers of supple dark fruit, packed with freshness, there´s excellent purity and nuance followed by a tremendously long and lingering finish. Great combo of freshness and power in Margaux´s classically elegant style not immensely bold but extremely fit with only muscles and no fat.

Vinous

98-100

byNeal Martinthe6/25/2021

The 2020 Château Margaux, re-tasted at the château, is a little more open on the nose, revealing even more of its stunning delineation, just so pixelated. Black cherries, blueberry and perhaps a tad more red fruit than I noticed in the sample tasted in the UK, more classic in style. The palate is harmonious and poised with ethereal delineation, building in the mouth towards an almost pixelated finish that is utterly irresistible. There is heightened mineralité compared to the previous sample with astonishing persistence. I suspect this is one Left Bank where the 2020 will surpass the previous two vintages, but as Philippe Bascaule himself commented, it is a wine for his children rather than himself. This is even better than the sample sent to the UK, hence my higher score. Will it achieve perfection? We'll find out soon(ish).

Vinous

98-100

byNeal Martinthe6/24/2021

The 2020 Château Margaux, re-tasted at the château, is a little more open on the nose, revealing even more of its stunning delineation, just so pixelated. Black cherries, blueberry and perhaps a tad more red fruit than I noticed in the sample tasted in the UK, more classic in style. The palate is harmonious and poised with ethereal delineation, building in the mouth towards an almost pixelated finish that is utterly irresistible. There is heightened mineralité compared to the previous sample with astonishing persistence. I suspect this is one Left Bank where the 2020 will surpass the previous two vintages, but as Philippe Bascaule himself commented, it is a wine for his children rather than himself. This is even better than the sample sent to the UK, hence my higher score. Will it achieve perfection? We'll find out soon(ish).

Vinous

97-99

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

A stunning, riveting wine, the 2020 Margaux is classic as classic gets. Racy, elegant and super-refined, the 2020 possesses magnificent balance. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, spice and bright mineral notes build as this super-expressive Margaux builds over time in the glass. The 2020 is not an obvious wine, but then again Château Margaux rarely is. I love the energy and vibrancy here. Margaux is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage in 2020. It’s a tremendous effort from the team led by Estate Manager Philippe Bascaules.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-98

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

The 2020 Château Margaux is a more concentrated, dense wine that has the vintage's massive dry extract paired with more moderate alcohol levels and building tannins. Blackcurrants, sandalwood, tobacco leaf, and graphite give way to a full-bodied, rich, powerful Château Margaux that's flawlessly balanced, has a stacked mid-palate, and a great finish. It's one for the ages, though, and don't expect much up-front appeal. It almost reminds me of the 1996, yet with slightly more density. It's a quintessential beauty that will be just about immortal.

Vinous

97-99

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

Much like the Deuxième Vin, the 2020 Château Margaux has a discreet nose; it is not interested in fireworks or in dazzling the taster. At first unassuming, it unfolds with black cherries, blueberry and signature crushed violet aromas, all delivered with the delineation and purity expected from an estate of this standing. Looking deeper, one finds touches of potpourri and India ink. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and crisp acidity, perhaps more noticeable on the 2020 compared to the previous two vintages. This Margaux is surfeit with tension and coiled-up, nascent energy, then it tightens up toward a linear finish that strangely recalls a Pauillac, thanks to a subtle graphite note that lingers on the saline aftertaste. This is a classically styled Château Margaux that will gain weight and depth during its élevage. Cerebral and sophisticated, and one of the wines of the Left Bank in 2020.

Decanter.com

99

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

A brilliant Margaux; one that takes a sigh and then releases the huge floral, eucalyptus and crushed mint whoosh that comes in waves though the palate. You get the concentration of the vintage in an entirely positive light, with a suave softness to the tannins that makes it stand head and shoulders above many others. Plenty in common with the 1996 vintage - the knitted down tannins, the completeness, the juicy blackcurrant purity and acidity on the finish, and the certainty of long ageing. Real clarity of flavour. Alcohol level is lower than both the 2018 and 2019, but tannins and anthocyanins are at the same level as in 2018. 36% of overall harvest, and 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. A yield of 36hl/ha. 98-100.

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

The purity of the fruit in the nose is striking. From there you move to notes of allspice, tobacco, roses, truffle, smoke, roasted plums, cherries and currants. Incredibly sensuous, silky and fresh, the fruit literally coats your palate with layers of velvet and silk textured berries. Intensely concentrated, weightless and effortless to drink, the wine seamlessly glides across your senses and holds with you for at least 60 seconds. This is a prodigious vintage of Chateau Margaux. The product of an early vintage, picking took place September 10 to September, 30. Yields were 36 hectoliters per hectare, with the Grand Vin produced from only 36% of the crop. The wine blends 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% ABV, 3.68 Ph. 98-100

Wine Advocate

97-99

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

The 2020 Château Margaux is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, accounting for 36% of the harvest. The alcohol weighs in at 13.5%, the IPT is 80 and the pH is 3.67. Displaying an opaque purple-black color, it needs a lot of air, time and patience to coax out the youthfully reticent nose of blueberry preserves, blackcurrant pastilles and Black Forest cake, followed by suggestions of lavender, clove oil, iron ore and menthol with wafts of star anise and candied violets. The medium to full-bodied palate is wonderfully opulent, featuring tightly wound yet beautifully pure layers of black fruits and earthy nuances within a solid structure of firm yet velvety tannins and exhilarating freshness, finishing with very long-lingering earth and mineral notes. Another stunning expression of the vintage by Philippe Bascaules and his team—bravo!

Anthocyanes

97-99

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Très beau nez de moka, légèrement grillé, cerise noire, cassis et mure avec une trame florale très élégante (pivoine, lys et iris). Éclatant et frais. Bouche droite, tendue, sur l'allonge avec une densité exceptionnelle parfaitement contenue dans une fraicheur émotionnelle. Finale aérienne et très violette. La tension de 2016 et la texture charnue de 2019. Superbe singularité. Un potentiel de garde de 15 à 40 ans.

Bernard Burtschy

99-100

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

Falstaff

95-97

byPeter Moserthe5/10/2021

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Ockerrandauf- hellung. Zart tabakig, ein Hauch von Velourleder, Bleistifttouch nach Zedernholz, schwarze Kirschen, etwas Cassis, frische Orangenzesten. Saftig, reife Kirschen, elegante Textur, finessenreiche lebendige Säurestruktur, seidige, gut integrierte Tannine, kalkige Mineralität mit Limettentouch im Finish, rotbeerige Nuancen im Nachhall, sicheres Reifepotenzial.

My Bettane + Desseauve

97-98

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

Jamessuckling.com

99-100

byJames Sucklingthe4/23/2021

So floral and perfumed with blackcurrants, blackberries and some asphalt. Full-bodied with super, fine tannins. Extremely refined with great length and intensity. The wonderful combination of refinement and power is already evident. Superb finish. Another great Margaux.