Margaux 2012 (750ML)

96 Points, Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Château Margaux has a taut, linear, pencil lead-infused bouquet with pure blackberry and boysenberry scents, an undercurrent of tobacco that surfaces after five minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, a life-affirming sense of balance with well-integrated new oak towards the finish. I concur with Robert Parker that his has become more structured and masculine in bottle, yet there is pedigree here from start to finish, a sense of effortlessness that is seductive. This is a top-class wine from the late Paul Pontallier and his team." 10/16

94 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "Wonderful aromas of flowers such as roses, violets, strawberries and a hints of wet earth. Wet stones as well. Full to medium body, very firm tannins and a long, racy finish. Minerals and chalk on the aftertaste. Needs three to five years to soften. Better in 2020." 02/15

The 2012 Margaux is beautifully polished and suave in the glass, with pliant fruit and plenty of finesse, all in a classic, mid-weight Margaux style. Inward and tightly wound, the 2012 is clearly holding back much of its potential. The 2012 has a stony, mineral-infused energy that is going to require at least a few more years in bottle to fully unwind, while the 100% new oak is a bit pronounced at this early stage. Grilled herbs, smoke, graphite and sage add further nuances on the savory, delineated finish...94+ Antonio Galloni, VM 1/16

96 Points, Sebastian Payne MW, Decanter: "(Château Margaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) By Margaux standards not a big wine, but beautifully perfumed. Finesse and length on the palate that’s unmatched by any other property in the Médoc in 2012. Making 34% grand vin of a small crop with 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, the team at Margaux read this vintage right, doing something they can do better than anyone else. (Drink between 2024-2042)" 03/22

94+ Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2012 Château Margaux is a wine that, based on this showing, is a little closed at the moment and needs the most coaxing from the glass. Plenty of black fruit in situ, although it does not really blossom. It is very well-balanced, quite deep and powerful, but it needs time to develop refinement on the finish. Cellar for another few years. Tasted blind in Bordeaux." 05/21

97 Points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux: "Graceful, nuanced, totally moriesh. Hugely successful at the 10 year mark, this is rippled with raspberry, white pepper, smoked earth, blond tobacco, cold ash, blueberry and star anise. One of my stars of the lineup, mouthwatering and full of cheer, with waves of fine tannins that are guiding the fruit from beginning to end. Above all finessed but not afraid of pleasure, a balanced Château Margaux that has plenty of time ahead of it. 34% of overall production." 03/22

94 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent: "Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Chateau Margaux opens with notes of new leather, plum preserves, and unsmoked cigars with hints of iron ore, dried herbs, and a medicinal waft. The medium-bodied palate has soft, approachable tannins and a lively line cutting through the savory layers, finishing minerally." 02/23