Professional reviews
Robert Parker (97)
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.
James Suckling (99)
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.
Jancis Robinson (17.50)
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 40% of the production. Cask sample.
Deep colour to the rim. Attractive berry-fruit aromas with a vanilla edge. Oak subtly present, as yet not fully integrated. Finer texture than Pavillon, the tannins both powerful and smooth. Plenty of drive and length. Slight glow of alcohol on the finish. A bigger wine than usual. Needs time to knit. (JL)
Vinous (99)
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.
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
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.
Decanter (98)
Soft floral aromatics take time to emerge, revealing violets, blackcurrants, tobacco, cedar, and tar. Deep and seductive, layers of scents - violets, blackcurrants, tobacco, liquorice, slate, tar, cedar. Silky tannins and concentrated fruit create an effortlessly graceful wine. Harmonious in every element - tannins, acidity, and freshness are perfectly aligned. A soft caress rather than a bold embrace, but with strength and backbone. I love the juicy core with excellent acidity. Clean and precise. I can't see this not being enjoyable at any time over the next 10-20 years. 3.61pH.
Falstaff (100)
Deep dark ruby in colour with an opaque core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the seductive nose, aromas of black cherry, cassis, dark wild berries, inviting spicy nuances and candied orange zest. The palate is full-bodied with black cherry fruit, silky tannins that give the wine enormous length, and a saline minerality on the finish that lingers for minutes. Great ageing potential, undoubtedly setting new standards for Margaux.
