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1996 Chateau Margaux #166846072
6x750ml
Reviews 100 points Wine Advocate "It is blessed with breathtaking delineation and freshness on the nose, understated at first and then blossoming with mineral-infused black fruit, hints of blueberry, crushed stone and violet. The palate is perfectly balanced with filigree tannin, perfect acidity, a wine where everything seems to be in its right place. Blackberry, crushed stone at the front of the mouth, just a touch of spice towards the finish that shows supreme control. This is a Margaux that seems to light up the senses. (NM)" 98 points Vinous "Bright full ruby. Pure, perfumed aromas of cassis and violet. Dense and tactile in the mouth; a huge, chewy wine with major extract but also considerable refinement. (ST)"
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About Chateau Margaux
Chateau Margaux is defined by exacting vineyard selection, rigorous viticulture, and highly controlled vinification, resulting in a style that pairs Margaux aromatic complexity with structural rigor and long-term aging capacity. The estate encompasses 262 hectares, with 82 hectares under vine for the Grand Vin, planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Recent blends frequently exceed 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, reinforcing the wine’s linear profile and precision. Organic farming has been applied to Grand Vin parcels since 2017. Average vine age is 35 years, with select Cabernet Sauvignon parcels exceeding 80 years.
Vinification is strictly parcel-specific, supported by nearly 100 vats of oak and stainless steel ranging from 5 to 180 hectoliters. This allows micro-lot fermentation and exact blending decisions. Malolactic fermentation occurs in vat for free-run juice and in barrel for press wine. Aging lasts 18 to 24 months in 100% new French oak, produced in part at the estate cooperage to control grain selection and toast level.
Their white wine, Pavillon Blanc is sourced from 11 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc on limestone soils, whole-cluster pressed, fermented without skin contact, aged on lees, and bottled without malolactic conversion. Yields and volumes are tightly restricted, reinforcing the estate’s focus on line, purity, and longevity.