Margaux 2019 (6L)

97-100 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "The 2019 Château Margaux is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, accounting for 37% of the crop. The alcohol came in at 13.9%, the IPT was 75, and the pH was 3.66. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose begins with intense scents of crushed blackberries, warm cassis and plum preserves before fanning out into a whole array of floral, exotic spice and earth scents: iris, red roses, star anise, cassis, tilled soil, moss-covered bark and black truffles, with an emerging waft of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate quivers with energy, emitting loads of mineral sparks, featuring bold freshness and fantastically ripe, finely grained tannins to support the delicate, perfumed layers, finishing very long and wonderfully poised. The juxtaposition between the acidity and the richness in this Château Margaux is just extraordinary!" 6/20

"The 2019 Château Margaux, bottled in July 2021, is absolutely divine on the nose. It unfurls to reveal exquisitely defined black fruit infused with graphite, Japanese nori and just a hint of potpourri and crushed stone. This is supremely well focused, refined and correct, so much so that you would think it comes from a cooler growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant, filigreed tannins that envelop the senses. Flavors of blackberry and bilberry, tinged with sea salt and black pepper, merge into a slightly more sensual finish that is still quintessentially Margaux. I used the word "effortless" in my note from barrel, and that rings true in bottle, though maybe there is now even more persistence. Quite stunning." 02/22

99 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2019 Château Margaux possesses off the charts richness to go along with plush contours and mind-blowing balance. All the elements are so wonderfully woven together. It's as if all the Château Margaux signatures are dialed up to eleven, but without losing any of the classic Margaux character. The purity of the red-toned fruit is just breathtaking. The Merlot was picked early, but then rain during harvest delayed the ripening of the Cabernets, which turned out to be a huge advantage. \n \nEstate Manager Philippe Bascaules and his team turned out two spectacular wines in 2019. Bascaules describes 2019 as an easy vintage. Flowering was normal and set was good. Yields came in at a healthy 47 hectoliters per hectare, more than 2017 or 2018, the summer heat spikes notwithstanding. Bascaules opted to pick the Merlot early and gave those lots very gentle extractions at low temperatures, whereas the Cabernet Sauvignon vinifications were a much more typical 20-22 days at 28-30 degrees Celsius. In tasting, the 2019s have more tannins than any other vintage, with the exception of 2018, and yet the wines don't show that at all. The bottled wines are every bit as impressive as the barrel samples." 02/22

100 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "Amazing aromas of crushed stones and wet soil with fresh mushrooms, then going on to violets and other flowers. Dark fruit, too. Full-bodied, yet agile and fine, with a linear flow of tannins that run through the center of palate. The finesse of the tannins is exceptional, like raw silk and changing all the time. Cool and energetic, yet reserved. Zen-like. 37% of the production and 90% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. So well balanced that you can drink it now, but this is one to leave for a decade and more. Ethereal." 01/22

98 Points, Georgina, Hindle, Decanter: "Wonderful aromas on the nose, quite dark and concentrated contrasting the palate which is abundant, juicy and immediately mouthwatering, giving a rush of bright red cherry and strawberry flavour. But it's the texture here that is so captivating - soft, light, bright, then deep and layered, the velvet tannins coming into support but harmoniously and effortlessly, nothing feels too much. A direct wine from start to finish with great drive and persistency offering a wonderful balance of having an immediate drinking appeal but also the structure, power and density to age. Sculpted, elegant and nicely framed. 37% of total production." 03/22

97-100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Château Margaux is another inky hued beauty from this estate that does everything right. Incredible notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, sandalwood, cedar, and loads of floral tones all dominate the bouquet, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, flawless integration in its tannins, acidity, and fruit, building structure, and an almost "iron fist in a velvet glove" like mouthfeel. Reminding me of the 2016, yet with even more density, it's a quintessential Château Margaux that will benefit from a decade of cellaring and keep for 50 years or more." 6/20