Margaux - Margaux 2022

Alexandre Ma

97

par Alexandre Ma le 10/03/2025

Château Margaux, long regarded as the epitome of “sublime elegance,” has enthralled countless wine lovers, myself included. However, in the special 2022 vintage, marked by pronounced tannins and elevated alcohol, this goddess unveils a surprisingly firm structure, dynamic energy, and an imposing grandeur that defies her traditionally graceful image. Even so, the precise articulation of graphite notes and sophisticated salinity remains flawless, allowing the core allure of its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon to shine with both clarity and profundity. On the palate, it delivers a unique sensory experience akin to “black sesame savory tofu soup” adding a touch of unmistakable individuality. The 2022 vintage may not capture Château Margaux’s most graceful character, but it reveals a playful, spirited charm when she shows her rare temperamental flair.

Wine Advocate

97

par William Kelley le 07/03/2025

The 2022 Château Margaux has come together brilliantly with élevage. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries, cedary pencil shavings and pen ink that are deftly framed by new oak, it's full-bodied, dense and layered, with a concentrated core of intensely sweet fruit, broad structural shoulders and a long, resonant finish. With air, it only becomes more voluptuous, yet that's controlled by underlying tannic grip to deliver a more classical profile than was apparent during élevage.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

99

par Jane Anson le 07/03/2025

Clear precision and intensity to the aromatics, and the tannins here are silky, enticing, this is squid ink, plum puree, cloves, turmeric, fragrant cardamon and crushed mint. Concentrated and mouthfilling, while retaining the succulent finesse that Margaux delivers so effortlessly. A wonderful wine that will age for decades. 25hl/h yield. 100% new oak for ageing, Philippe Bascaules director.

Jeb DUNNUCK

100

par Jeb Dunnuck le 28/02/2025

The Grand Vin 2022 Château Margaux checks in as 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc that's pulled from just 40% of the total production. Brought up in new barrels, it has a terrific pH of 3.61, which is low for the vintage, and an alcohol of 14.3%, with the highest level of tannins since 2010. It brings another level of purity, elegance, and finesse, and it is just a sensational, legendary Margaux in the making. Crème de cassis blue fruits, spring flowers, lead pencil, and violets all define the bouquet, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, seamlessly textured, flawlessly balanced profile. While it shows the ripe, pure, already accessible style of the vintage, I wouldn't be surprised to see this close down over the coming 7-8 years, given its density and structure, and it's not going to hit its prime drinking window until 15-20 years after the vintage. It should be one of those wines that evolve gracefully over the following 50-75 years.

Yvesbeck.wine

95

par Yves Beck le 25/02/2025

Que de charme, de maturité et de complexité dans le bouquet de Château Margaux ! Des notes de griottes s'allient à des nuances de baies noires mûres ainsi qu'à une touche confite puis, surtout, des notes d'élevage. Il me manque un peu la fraîcheur qui était affichée durant les primeurs. Le charme annoncé par le bouquet est bien relayé par l'attaque qui souligne le côté suave du vin, tandis que les tannins contrecarrent ce côté amadouant. Ces derniers se révèlent tardivement, pas à pas, et amènent ainsi la vigueur en crescendo. De fins amers viennent consolider la fin de bouche en plébiscitant l'expression aromatique et en étirant la finale. Un vin charmant, enthousiasmant, qui peine néanmoins à cristalliser sa finesse légendaire. Il n'en est pas moins délicieux, mais il n'est pas là où j'en ai l'habitude ! Je suppose qu'il doit terminer sa mise en place … à suivre ! 2027-2047 95/100

Vinous

100

par Neal Martin le 12/02/2025

The 2022 Château Margaux obliged reams of superlatives from barrel. Now in bottle, it is a stone-cold breathtaking First Growth that belongs on the mantelpiece alongside the 1959 and 1983. That said, at first, the aromatics are bashful, yet it takes little to unfurl in jaw-dropping fashion, armed with heavenly pure black fruits laced with peony and iris flower and exuding mineralité (which is a mighty achievement given the season). The palate is imbued with stunning pixelation. There is a little more structure than I recall—an enthralling sense of architecture and thrilling tension, the pH of around 3.65 imparting acidic spine. Winemaker Philippe Bascaule remarked that he cannot compare the 2022 to another vintage. This is a profound Château Margaux that sets a contemporary benchmark.

Jamessuckling.com

99

par James Suckling le 03/02/2025

I have never encountered a wild Margaux like this. Cassis and blackcurrant aromas with hints of crushed stones and bitter chocolate. The palate is full-bodied but not heavy or ponderous. Really well-structured with fantastic fine tannins that tighten on the palate, giving this so much liveliness and length. Compacted and energetic at the end. 92% cabernet sauvignon and 6% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Exceptional. Best after 2029.

Vinous

99

par Antonio Galloni le 28/01/2025

The 2022 Château Margaux is a total hedonistic turn-on. Soaring Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics are immediately arresting. A wine of depth and stature, Château Margaux is a total stunner in 2022. Dark-toned fruit, graphite, lavender, licorice and spice soar from the glass. There's gorgeous presence and mind-blowing balance to behold here. Château Margaux is always an aristocratic wine. In 2022, it is all that and more. Richness, power and finesse are rarely this profound. The team led by Technical Director Philippe Bascaules opted for shorter macerations than the norm (12-21 days as opposed to 15-28) as a precaution given the tiny size of the berries, which were about 35% smaller than in most years.

Wine Maniacs

96-97

par Lin Liu le 30/05/2023

Decanter.com

98

par Georgina Hindle le 25/05/2023

A stunning Margaux in 2022 with a bright and vibrant core, deep and persistent, alive and bright with layers of silky but firm tannins that give a gentle grip, powerful and concentrated black fruit, with a clearly defined structure that supports and doesn't overwhelm. Despite the power this has a delicacy which I love, so pure and clearly charming. Opulent yet racy, really walking the line between heft and sleekness. The acidity really lifts the expression with spiced liquorice and wet stone nuances while staying cool and fresh. Generous, stylish, punchy and polished. An incredibly complex wine that really works. 3.6pH. 88IPT. 18% press wine. Ageing 18-20 months, 100% new oak. No Petit Verdot in the blend. Highest alcohol and tannin level for the grand vin.

Alexandre Ma

97-98

par Alexandre Ma le 17/05/2023

Château Margaux epitomizes the "ultimate beauty" of a goddess, capturing the hearts of many, including my own. Every time I taste it, I can't help but want to take it home. However, in the 2022 vintage, with prominent tannins and alcohol, Château Margaux exudes a powerful energy, a solid structure, and a grand presence ready to emerge. As the wine's structure becomes more concentrated, the classic impression of "ultimate beauty" appears somewhat less distinct. Nonetheless, thanks to exceptional winemaking skills, I still experience the velvety sensation that distinguishes the signature of Château Margaux. If previous vintages of Château Margaux could be compared to delicate, fragile silken tofu, then the 2022 vintage would be like a piece of cheese; although their characters differ, both remain equally enchanting.

Vinous

96-98

par Neal Martin le 17/05/2023

The 2022 Château Margaux represents 40% of the crop this year, slightly higher than recent years, picked between 8 and 27 September. As usual, the Grand Vin demands more time to unfold on the nose compared to the Pavillon. It unveils enticing scents of macerated black cherries, blueberry, violet and hints of orange blossom all delivered with impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with sculpted tannins. A fine-boned and tensile Château Margaux that is quite a remarkable feat given the growing season. Silky smooth and almost creamy at first, toward the finish it reveals a slightly powdery texture, almost swaggering in style. Not a subtle or nuanced Château Margaux, rather, Philippe Bascaules has conjured a First Growth that is dressed to kill. 14.6% alcohol.

The Vintage Journal

99-100

par Andrew Caillard MW le 17/05/2023

Deep colour. Impressive dark cherry, blackcurrant plum fruits with paneforte, chinotto/ marzipan/ roasted chestnut notes. Richly concentrated dark cherry pure blackcurrant cacao flavours, fine loose knit chocolaty/ cedar tannins and underlying roasted chestnut, marzipan vanilla notes. Superb chocolaty tannins. Wonderful mineral length. A heroic vintage. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc 14.5% alc

matthewjukes.com

20

par Matthew Jukes le 15/05/2023

The Wine Independent

97-99

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 15/05/2023

The 2022 Chateau Margaux, composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It shoots from the glass with an initial firework display of redcurrant jelly, blackberry pie, and fresh, juicy blackcurrants, followed by an array of iron ore, lilacs, black licorice, and sandalwood-inspired scents, plus a hint of wood smoke. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with rich, concentrated, muscular black and red fruits, supported by exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and fragrant. This is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous effort that should be immortal. This represents 40% of the crop. "It's been a long time since this much has made it into the First Wine!" commented winemaker Phillipe Bascaules. The pH is 3.61.

Yvesbeck.wine

98-99

par Yves Beck le 10/05/2023

Château Margaux se révèle avec délicatesse. Il révèle d'entrée une très belle fraîcheur avec des notes de baies rouges suivies d'une touche florale ainsi que des nuances d'épices douces. La fraîcheur du bouquet est reprise d'entrée par l'attaque. Le vin se positionne ainsi rapidement avec de la finesse, ce qui est de bon augure au vu de la puissance qui arrive derrière. Dès le milieu de bouche des amorces de tannins se révèlent, lentement, mais avec clarté et énergie. Plus cela avance, plus ils gagnent en puissance tout en gardant un lien étroit avec l'acidité structurante qui a comme mérite de dynamiser la fin de bouche. Un Margaux fin, d'une rare puissance, qui aura besoin de temps. Paradoxalement, tout me semble bien calé. Maintenant il faut laisser agir l'élevage et la magie de Château Margaux.

Bettane & Desseauve

97-98

par Bettane & Desseauve le 10/05/2023

Très corsé pour le cru mais sans diminution de sa précision aromatique et de la noblesse d’expression du cabernet-sauvignon. Grande réussite.

Jeb DUNNUCK

97-99

par Jeb Dunnuck le 10/05/2023

The Grand Vin 2022 Château Margaux checks in as 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc that's pulled from just 40% of the total production. It's a classic Château Margaux with its overriding sense of elegance and purity, yet it's certainly in the style of the vintage with its depth, richness, and concentration. Cassis, blueberries, acacia flowers, and spice all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a seamless, layered mouthfeel, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. The alcohol hit 14.5, and I suspect the pH is relatively high (which is common in the vintage), yet this remains pure, balanced, and is absolutely show-stopping stuff.

Vinous

97-99

par Antonio Galloni le 09/05/2023

The 2022 Château Margaux is a total stunner. Ripe, opulent and explosive, the 2022 possesses tremendous depth and textural intensity from start to finish. There’s a purity to the fruit that is just striking. The 2022 is a dark, unusually opulent Margaux, with a dense core of fruit, but a good deal of vibrancy to balance things out. Black cherry, lavender, spice and a kiss of new French oak build in the glass, but it is the wine’s delineation and intensity that are most captivating. Vibrant saline notes linger on the seamless, supremely elegant finish. Unforgettable. Drinking window : 2030-2062

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100

par Jeff Leve le 05/05/2023

The bushel of red and black fruits initially get your attention before discovering all the violets, white flowers, cedar, and cigar box aromas in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, sensuous, rich, and almost viscous. The fruit comes in layers, and does not stop building in intensity. The wine is poised between weight and lift, with an energetic finish delivering a powerful wall of cashmere-textured, red and black fruits that hold your focus for at least 60 seconds. This is a unique style for Chateau Margaux that is difficult to compare with previous vintages due to its levels of alcohol and concentration. But I love it! The wine blends 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. All the Petit Verdot was placed into Pavillon Rouge. 14.6% ABV, is the highest ABV in the history of the estate. 3.61 pH. Yields were barely 25 hectoliters per hectare. The Grand Vin was produced using only 40% of the harvest. Picking took place September 8 - September 28, making this one of the earliest starts to a vintage in the history of the estate. Drink from 2030-2065.

Wine Advocate

96-97

par William Kelley le 02/05/2023

A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, 2022 Château Margaux is one of the most powerful wines ever produced at this estate, wafting from the glass with aromas of crème de cassis, dark berries, violets, burning embers, smoked tea and exotic spices. Full-bodied, deep and layered, it's rich, velvety and seamless, with a bright core of fruit and a long, heady finish. With the highest analytical measure of tannins since 2010, and an alcohol level a touch above 14%, this is certainly a larger-scaled Château Margaux, yet at this early stage, everything appears to be kept in check. 96 - 97+

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

par James Suckling le 19/04/2023

Very dark purple color with a ruby edge. So much crushed blackberry and blackcurrant with violets. Exuberant. Full-bodied and very tannic with incredible muscle. This is a thought-provoking wine. The biggest Margaux I have tasted in my career. Seems a little overdone for Margaux. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot and 2% petit verdot.