2017 Château Margaux
Buying options
Tasting notes
Pencil lead, roses, cassis, bleuberry, tea, gunsmoke, fine and supple tannins that stretch out through the palate, this is an amazing quality 2017 that shows the potential of the vintage in the right hands. The vineyards of Château Margaux are almost exactly the same size as in 1855 at 80ha. Three-quarters of the vines are on deep and extremely poor gravel soils, and others with clay and limestone bedrock, covered by fine gravels of terraces 3 and 4. Philippe Bascaules technical director, Corinne Menzelopoulos owner at the time (it was recently announced in 2023 that she has now handed over to her son Alexis).
Critic scores
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Enticing and rich nose of cassis and baking spice – underneath there is class and refinement. Retains cool precision, with soft tannins and a savoury cedar edge. Highly refined and subtle. Incredibly pure and fine to the finish, this will benefit from time, and may warrant a higher score with age. (TP)
One of the clear highlights on the Left Bank, the 2017 Margaux is magnificent. Soaring in intensity, the 2017 exudes class from the very first taste. Margaux is so often a wine of charm and seduction, but the 2017 is anything but that. Instead, Margaux is dark, somber and mysterious, with layers of sepia-toned nuance that opens up with time in the glass. Cabernet Sauvignon, picked 5 days later than first anticipated, is especially prominent. The 2017 is going to need a number of years to be at its very best, but it is a super-promising wine. Wow. (AG)
The 2017 Chateau Margaux is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little coaxing to reveal alluring notes of blackcurrant cordial, Black Forest cake and black raspberries with suggestions of candied violets, tilled soil, fallen leaves, licorice and espresso plus wafts of underbrush and rosehip tea. Medium-bodied, the elegance and finesse on the palate is simply bedazzling, exuding a quiet intensity of fresh black fruits layered with oh-so-subtle floral and earth nuances. It has a soft, velvety texture and seamless freshness to support the tightly wound flavors, finishing long and perfumed. Beautiful! This grand vin accounts for just 37% of the crop.
About the producer
Ch. Margaux is one of Bordeaux’s most historic and famous estates. The only classified First Growth in Margaux, it epitomises the appellation’s elegance, while producing wines with fantastic ageing potential.