2020 Chateau Margaux Premier Cru Classe, Margaux

Vinous 98

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. [Neal Martin, 01/11/2024]

Anticipated maturity: 2032-2065

Robert Parker 98

The 2020 Chateau 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! [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 15/04/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2028-2068