Château Margaux 2012

We were literally left speechless: this irresistibly seductive Château Margaux is one of the hits of the year – and may even come onto the market at a price that is still very high, but just about acceptable: dense, incredibly delicate tannins, extraordinary aromatic length, almost crystalline transparency and finesse, and an absolutely superb, unique style.

The 2012 Château Margaux is showing much differently from bottle than it did from cask. Seemingly much fuller and richer, it has a dense ruby/purple color, representing a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot, as well as only 33% of their harvest. It possesses hints of spring flowers intermixed with blueberries, blackberries and cassis fruit, moderate tannin, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and a long, structured finish. This 2012 was charming, up-front and precociously styled from barrel, but in bottle it is more masculine, dense and rich. This wine needs a good 5-7 years of cellaring, and should keep well for 25 or more years. This is a great effort from Château Margaux, and should handsomely repay those who buy it. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2040.

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.

Medium-bodied, structured, almost round, close to soft, but the tannins and the wine remain firm, reserved, and reticent. There is a strong green olive and herbal note in the finish that does not want to go away. Those looking for more classic-styled vintages will probably like this even more than I did. At the end of the day, and the bottle, this is a wine to like, not love.

Dark ruby garnet with purple reflections and a touch of brightening at the rim. An attractive black-berry nose, backed by fine toast and tobacco aromas and hints of chocolate. The palate is balanced, with fine cassis underlaid by caramel and a mineral backbone. Well-integrated tannins contribute to a fresh structure. Ripe cherries emerge on the finish. Already showing some maturity, with certain further ageing potential.

Floral, mineral and dark-fruited, with freshly crushed red and black currants. Nice concentration without heaviness, fresh and vibrant, with attractive fruit, powdery tannins and a very long, lingering finish. Polished and elegant, showing concentration without heaviness.

87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 36% of the harvest made it into the Grand Vin. Paul Pontalier: “The lots were extremely varied. There were some magnificent cuvées, but we had to downgrade more than 30% to third wine or even sell it off in bulk.” Perfumed nose with lingonberries and mulberries, plus hints of red currants; overall the fruit takes the lead, then light fine oak and Dominican tobacco emerge, and you get the feeling this Margaux grows deeper with air. On the palate, highly refined with silky tannins; the whole is dancing and the Cabernets seem to mark the wine far less than in recent vintages. A very fine, delicacy-like Château Margaux. Perhaps almost an improved take on the 1999. And that was already a great Château Margaux!

87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 36% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin. Paul Pontalier: “The lots were extremely different. There were great cuvées, but we had to downgrade more than 30% to a third wine or even sell it off in bulk.” Perfumed nose, cranberries, mulberries, but also traces of red currants; overall the fruit dominates, then light fine-grained noble oak and Dominican tobacco emerge, and you feel this Margaux grows ever deeper with air. On the palate, very refined, silky tannins, the whole impression is graceful, and the Cabernets seem to mark the wine much less than in recent vintages. A very fine, delicacy-tinged Château Margaux. Perhaps almost in an improved style of the 1999. And that was already a great Château Margaux!

(87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) Deep, mineral, complex, elegant bouquet; various berries, white mulberries, blueberries, tobacco, fine woods, slate, red currant, fine mocha, mint. Dense, multi-layered, elegant, finely woven palate with dense, fine fruit, plenty of fine tannin, dense, elegant structure, varied, powerful aromatics, very long, fine finish with powerful afterflavours. 19/20 2020 - 2045

Graceful, nuanced, totally moreish. 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 guide 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.

Margaux 2012 is dense, very classic—especially on the nose. The tannins are dense and very fine, the Cabernet is magnificent at 87%, the length is medium, with lovely aromas. 17% of press wine was added.

The nose is aromatic, refined, elegant, intense and powerful (yet delicate). It reveals fine notes of blackberry and blackcurrant, joined by subtle hints of tobacco, discreet touches of undergrowth, a delicate hint of bell pepper, and fine nuances of saline minerality. The palate is fruity, mineral, silky, racy, elegant, rounded and gourmand, offering lovely velvety texture, purity, delicacy, power, suppleness, a nice fleshiness, and a subtle freshness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of blackberry, juicy blackcurrant and fine notes of raspberry, with a hint of strawberry, delicate notes of dark chocolate/mocha, subtle touches of oak, and a fine hint of caramelization. The tannins are fine and elegant. Good length and persistence. A delicate hint of toast and cocoa lingers on the finish.

Logo on the cork: inverted T (Trescases) Dark, intense color, very slightly evolved. Highly aromatic nose, refined, fruity, subtle and even complex. Precise on the attack, then complex mid-palate, the wine unfolds with pronounced aromatics, rising towards the finish where it closes sophisticated, long, with fine-grained texture. This superb balance makes it impossible to spit out!

This elegant wine is very much in the classic style of Margaux. Although the wood is still showing, the wine has fresh black currant fruits along with an underlying firm, long-lived tannic structure. The aftertaste with its dryness and acidity confirms that. Drink from 2025.