New Release: 2023 Chateau Margaux, Four Potential 100 Point Scores!
We have a spectacular release from Bordeaux this morning; the ethereal, elegant and potentially perfect First Growth of Chateau Margaux 2023. With barrel scores topping out at 100 points from an incredible four different critics and two more at a high of 99 points, this is a candidate for wine of the vintage and is set to be a huge seller. Also released today is the sensational Pavillon Blanc 2023 and the second wine of the estate Pavillon Rouge.
Known for its aromatic complexity and effortless finesse, Margaux is rightly revered. It is on a tremendous run of form and is routinely among the world’s great wines every year. The 2023 is no exception to this rule, as is demonstrated by a look at the notes and scores from the critics:
- “fabulous. Sensual, silky and exceptionally polished”, 97-100 pts Antonio Galloni
- “Weightless. One of the wines of the vintage”, 99-100 points James Suckling
- “clearly one of the greats in the vintage”, 96-100 points Jeb Dunnuck
- “focuses on its purity, refinement, length, vivacity, and sensual textures”, 98-100 pts Jeff Leve
These scores give this 2023 the potential to rival, or indeed beat some very impressive recent vintages. It’s clearly of immense quality, which makes the price all the more eye-catching. As the table above shows, it also shows a strong comparative price advantage, making it one to buy now, as close to release as possible.
Also not to be missed is the 2023 Pavillon Blanc and Pavillon Rouge. Each is an excellent vintage for this benchmark second wine, give an excellent insight into the famed house style and are very well-rated by James Suckling.
Masterpieces in the making, details are below, do take a look and let us know if you would like any secured:
2023 Chateau Margaux
£2,160 per case (6*75cl OWC) in bond
£2,165 per case mags (3*150cl OWC) in bond
97-100 points Antonio Galloni
The 2023 Château Margaux is fabulous. Sensual, silky and exceptionally polished, the 2023 Château Margaux is shaping up to be a classic. Seamless, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red/purplish fruit. Hints of spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and rose petal fill out the glass. There’s a bit of new oak peeking through today, but that won’t be an issue in a few years’ time. Only Bordeaux can produce wines that offer so much flavor intensity at a low alcohols. Margaux is the least showy of the First Growths, but it is often the most refined. The 2023 is sublime. (2024) www.vinous.com Drink 2033-2073
99-100 points James Suckling
The aromas in this young Margaux are so primary, reminding me of grape must fermenting in the vat, then turning to perfumes and flowers. Violets and roses. Full-bodied but it comes across as so agile and bright, with vivid acidity that makes the wine crunchy and linear. As Alexis, one of the owners of Margaux said, this really shows the DNA of the estate. Weightless. One of the wines of the vintage. 3.6 pH. Blend of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. www.jamessuckling.com
96-100 points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Château Margaux is clearly one of the greats in the vintage, and it actually reminds me a touch of the 1996, if not better. Revealing a deep purple hue, it has an incredible bouquet of cassis and blue fruits interwoven with classic Margaux floral, sandalwood, spice, and graphite aromatics. It’s hard to find a wine in 2023 that has this much density and depth, with sweet tannins and so much charm. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all of which will see 20 months in new barrels. Not enough can be said about the genius of Philippe Bascaules and the Mentzelopoulos family, who continue to produce sensational wine after sensational wine. (2024) www.jebdunnuck.com
98-100 points Jeff Leve
In competition for wine of the vintage, with a single swirl, you find roses violets, lilacs, black, with red cherries, espresso, cocoa, and boysenberries in the haunting aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is silky, velvety, energetic, and lively. Instead of the weight and intensity found in the 2022, the 2023 focuses on its purity, refinement, length, vivacity, and sensual textures. The seamless finish resonates for 60 seconds, leaving you with lingering waves of incredibly sweet, and pure cherries. Part of the reason for the success of the vintage at Margaux is due to the combination of the amount of rain, and even more importantly, the timing of the rains, which helped the vines reach a better level of maturity. It is interesting to note that macerations were slow, and easy, with some vats taking 28 days due to the lower ABV levels. The wine blends 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 13.1% ABV. 3.61 pH, 15% press wine. 41% of the crop was placed into the Grand Vin. Picking took place September 11-October 6. The length of the harvest was due to intermittent periods of rain during the harvest, so picking stopped and started, which is another key to the success in 2023. Drink from 2030-2065. www.
97-99 points Neal Martin
The 2023 Château Margaux, which contains 15% vin de presse, is quintessential Château Margaux. It immediately blossoms in the glass with irresistible crushed violets on the nose, instantly demanding attention—you will gladly give it. Exquisitely defined and very focused with supremely well integrated oak, this is blessed with laser-like precision. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, perhaps a little feistier than expected thanks to a liberal sprinkling of black pepper. Quite structured (like the Pavillon Rouge) and gentle, you can almost overlook its grip. It finishes with a concentrated, graphite-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. This First Growth will require ten years in bottle to really show what it is capable of. (2024) www.vinous.com
97-99 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2023 Chateau Margaux, accounting for 41% of this year’s crop, is deep garnet-purple in color. A little shy to begin, it needs some swirling before notes of black cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, and anise emerge from the glass, leading to suggestions of fragrant soil, lilacs, and cardamom with a touch of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted, with fabulous tension creating an exhilarating sense of energy in the mouth, offset by firm fine-grained tannins to support the vibrant red and black berry layers, finishing long and perfumed. So fragrant and graceful, this could only be Chateau Margaux! The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.60. “There is a little more Cabernet Franc this year. More and more has been making it into the First Wine. We have been grafting over some vines to Cabernet Franc and planting more.” (2024) www.thewineindependent.com
2023 Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux
£1,440 per case (6*75cl OWC) in bond
£1,445 per case mags (3*150cl OWC) in bond
96-97 points James Suckling
This is quite a big Pavillon Blanc with sliced pineapple, ripe apple, lemon and stone. It’s full-bodied, layered and phenolic with a ripe sense to it, but then it’s citrusy and salty. Like fresh oysters. Reminds me of vintages from the 1980s, but with more freshness and clarity. 100% sauvignon blanc. www.jamessuckling.com
2023 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux
£720 per case (6*75cl OWC) in bond
£725 per case mags (3*150cl OWC) in bond
96-97 points James Suckling
Very Chateau Margaux, with perfumed violets, currants and other berries, as well as oranges. Medium body with fine, caressing tannins that are tight and vivid. Racy and refined. Brightness and beauty to this second wine. Succulent. Refined. One of the best Pavillon Rouges in a while. 30% of the production. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. www.jamessuckling.com
Offered subject to final confirmation. Available in 2026. Offer expires 1st July 2024.
