4 | Wine | Margaux | Page 3

"It exhibits a classic Margaux fragrance of acacia flowers/violets, blueberries, cassis, licorice and camphor. Opulent and full-bodied with silky tannins as well as a rich, dense style, it will be interesting to compare the 2009 with the brilliant 2000 and 2005 over the next two to three decades."-Robert Parker

"This is a step up, with a level of glycerin that sets it apart from the pack, showing ripe, mouthfilling plum, fig and blackberry fruit laid over a nice graphite spine. Sweet tobacco and violet notes fill in on the lengthy finish."

"This is a stunning Chateau Margaux, made in a sexy, up-front, elegant style, with deep creme de cassis fruit intermixed with spring flowers, a solid inner core of richness and depth, but again, very sweet tannins as well as striking minerality and elegance. One of the most seductive Chateau Margauxs given its recent bottling, this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot should drink beautifully for the next 25-30 years. Remarkably, a mere 36% of the entire production was selected for the 2008 Chateau Margaux." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Displays blackberry and blueberry aromas, with a hint of cappuccino. Full and silky, with a lovely texture of ripe tannins and an aftertaste of dark chocolate, berry and light vanilla. This is a solid estate making solid wines now."

"The noteworthy, classic Margauxs from this estate remain under most consumers’ radar. Displaying low acidity and a forward style, the exotic 2003 is undeniably fragrant, complex, and sexy. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of truffles, underbrush, plums, cassis, and a hint of figs. The tannin is sweet, and the texture is multilayered. This full-bodied, chewy, round, sensual Margaux should evolve gracefully for 15+ years. Bravo!"

"The 2009, which is inky blue/purple to the rim, is a final blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot at 14% natural alcohol. The wine has a beautiful blueberry-scented nose with hints of acacia flowers, licorice, graphite and some subtle charcoal and background oak. Clearly a modern style of Margaux, it is pure, seamless, full-bodied and opulent, and the high glycerin and silky texture of 2009 are brilliantly displayed in this wine. Drink it over the next 15+ years, although it is certainly capable of lasting well past two decades."-Robert Parker

"This is possibly the finest wine I have ever tasted from this property, run by Jean-Luc Thunevin and his partner Murielle Andraud. An absolutely stunning nose of violets, creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, forest floor and subtle new oak burst from the glass. The wine has great fruit, superb texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel and an extravagantly rich, concentrated palate with low acidity and ripe tannin. Give it another 3-4 years to firm up and lose some baby fat, then drink it over the following 20+ years."-Robert Parker

"The soft, sexy 2009 exhibits a dense plum/purple color along with a big, sweet bouquet of raspberries, black cherries, black currants, smoke and forest floor. Opulent and round with an attractive viscosity as well as outstanding purity, depth and length, it should drink well for two decades. While not one of the longest lived wines of the vintage, it is among the most precocious, flattering and charming at present."-Robert Parker

"Black in color, delivering extraordinary aromas of blackberry, raisin, spices and fresh mushroom. Full-bodied, with an amazing core of ripe fruit, yet ultrabalanced and finely textured. Touches every taste bud. This incredible young red spent two years in new wood, but you can't tell. It's all glorious fruit. A legendary wine."