MargauxChâteau Giscours
71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot
“Deep purple. Sexy nose with sweet aromas of boysenberry and blackberry fruits intermixed with some cassis and a touch of graphite. The palate is full to the brim with sweet black fruits, some raspberry too, fresh and very polished. With good balance of oak and acidity, the wine has a fresh and lasting finish. This is very good.” Drink from 2020.
Genesis score 17.5.
“It is a little unsettling to realize that 2009 and 2010 may be the greatest back to back Bordeaux vintages produced in the history of the region. The over-achieving Giscours has turned in a great performance in 2010, which possesses an opaque purple color as well as notes of licorice, black truffles, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, flowers and soil undertones. It is very full-bodied and exceptionally opulent, fat and round, but the vintage’s acids, precision, high glycerin, alcohol and extract are all present. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years.” 92-95 Robert Parker
“Tasted twice at the chateau and the UGC, a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon (the highest ever) and 29% Merlot that cropped at 25-27hl/ha. It has a pH of 3.6 and 13.7% alcohol. I must say, I really love the purity on this nose as dark cherries, cassis and crushed flower soar from the glass. Very fine delineation here. The palate is medium-bodied with very silky smooth tannins, almost Burgundian in texture. Lovely poise and focus, long in the mouth, this is the finest Giscours in a long time. Tasted April 2011.” 92-94 Neil Martin
“Blackish crimson. Quite complex and complete. Just beautifully balanced. This is ripe claret. The sort that Edmund Penning-Rowsell never encountered. Nothing forced nor self conscious. Just great balance and confidence. Fresh finish. Real Margaux. Appetising and subtle. But no blockbuster. Even a little sinewy on the finish.”
17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
“This is very structured and muscular with a lots of toasty new wood showing now but if you dig deep you see a rich and beautiful fruit and velvety tannin structure. Is this the new 1970? Very sexy.” 94-95 James Suckling
Château Kirwan
“Deep inky purple colour. Fabulous burst of dark fruits on the nose, blackberry, and currant with a touch of cedar and graphite. The palate is full-bodied with velvety tannins coating the mouth. Gorgeous black fruits layer on the palate, pretty with brilliant acidity to balance. A lingering finish with a streak of oak that complements the wine.”Drink from 2019. Genesis score 16.5.
“Readers looking for a masculine, powerful, concentrated, broodingly backward style of Margaux need look no further than the 2010 Kirwan. A dense opaque purple color is accompanied by notes of graphite, licorice, blackberry and cassis. Intense and concentrated with good acidity as well as a boatload of tannin, it should be forgotten for 7-10 years and drunk over the following three decades.” 90-93 Robert Parker
“Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, including 13% vin de presse and being raised in 45% new oak (13.9% alcohol) the Kirwan ’10 has a very ripe bouquet with blackcurrant, blueberry, plum and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, quite robust on the entry, very good weight but mellowing nicely towards the creamy textured finish. This is a very fine, modern style Margaux, one that is very well crafted.” Tasted April 2011. 91-93 Neil Martin
“Blackish crimson. Intense blend of very ripe fruit and some tobacco savour. Racy green finish – a bit angular – but lots of pleasure too. Edgy for the moment. Not the densest but with real verve.” 17/20 Jancis Robinson
Château Lascombes
“Less of a fruit bomb than usual. Very pure on the nose, fleshy with a touch of cassis. The palate is ripe, extracted and quite meaty. This is really good, polished, with lovely texture and mouth-feel, and very lean as the same time. Blackcurrants and blackberry flavours come through on the palate, upfront and round. Well-judged tannins and warming oak hold on a lengthy finish.” Drink from 2022. Genesis score 17.5.
“While this large property is composed of a huge number of small parcels that must require military-like precision to harvest, the quality of the wines over the last decade has been remarkable. The 2010 may turn out to be the greatest Lascombes ever made. It boasts a dense purple color along with an extraordinarily uplifted set of aromatics consisting of blueberry liqueur, black cherries, subtle smoke, crushed rocks and restrained oak. Massive fruit, an unctuous texture, a skyscraper-like mid-palate and stunning definition (because of good acids and a modest pH) have resulted in a formidable wine that will benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring, and should keep for 30 years. A brilliant effort!”
94-97 Robert Parker
“Tasted twice, the Lascombes is a blend of 45% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. The first sample has a very ripe bouquet with crème de cassis and plum-scented fruit, flirting with over-ripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with rather low acidity and a very smudged and a little hard on the finish. A second sample is consistent and I will endeavour to taste this at a later juncture.” Tasted April 2011. Score? Neil Martin
“Another extremely dark blackish crimson Margaux. Lifted nose and very sweet and sumptuous. Extremely caressing in terms of texture. Wine as massage. But with lots of tannins hidden in there underneath. So much pleasure in store... Though pretty alcoholic!” 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
“Impressive start, with lots of polished and silky tannins here, and an enticing depth of fruit and a caressing finish. Slightly one-dimensional.” 91-92 James Suckling
Château Palmer
54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot.
“Gorgeous red and black fruit nose, ripe blackberry and a little prune - floral with notes of violet too. Very polished and classy the palate, it is full of black fruits and supple oak - well structured wine that oozes freshness. The tannins are rich and are complemented by good acidity creating pleasing tension with a lengthy finish.” Drink from 2025.
Genesis score 17.5.
“The 2010 Palmer, which is 50% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Sauvignon except for 6% Petit Verdot, is a huge, inky/purple-colored wine with notes of camphor, incense, blackberry, espresso roast, and subtle barbecue smoke. Extremely full-bodied and unbelievably powerful (14.5% natural alcohol, but with a rather standard pH of 3.75), this wine is going to be one of the great classics ever to emerge from this iconic chateau. It is extremely tannic, but the tannins are eclipsed by the extravagant concentration of fruit, unctuosity, and density of this wine. This will be a Chateau Palmer to put away for 10 years and drink over the following 40.” 95-97 Robert Parker
“The 2010 Palmer is a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, delivering 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.65. This has a very pure bouquet where the Cabernet Sauvignon is again, dominating the aromatics: blackberry, boysenberry and a touch of graphite. The palate is full-bodied with mineral-rich black fruits, very linear and focused, but there is just a touch of alcohol blurring the finish and taken the edge off it its precision.” Tasted March 2011. 92-94 Neil Martin
“Very dark purple. Amazingly sweet and luscious on the nose. Incredibly sweet and distinctive – pure pleasure at first. Very round and luscious and has massive polish. Incredibly open at this stage – will it close up, I wonder? But underneath, a great stew of tannins lurk..! Great freshness but no leafiness. This is already carrying the Palmer hallmark in spades and its only on the finish that one sees the strong vintage character. Nothing excessive.” pH 3.65. 14.5%. 18/20 Jancis Robinson
“This nose is crazy with treacle tart, dark fruits, spices and milk chocolate. I was in a state of amazement tasting this. Full bodied and very powerful with wonderful ripe tannins and intense nuts and dark chocolate on the palate. This is more powerful than 2009. I am blown away.” 97-98 James Suckling
Alter Ego de Palmer
51% Merlot and 49% Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Very deep perfumed nose of black plum and cherry fruits with floral overtones. The palate is pure and polished creating an exciting feel. Rich blueberry and plum fruits which dominate the front palate, are ripe and juicy. The oak is a little dominant towards the back but will subsume with time. Nice mineral notes on the finish with fantastic freshness and length.” Drink from 2020. Genesis score 16.5.
“For many of the classified growths in the Medoc, the quality of the second wines has soared over the last 5-6 years, and Alter Ego is no exception. The 2010 Alter Ego is the richest ever made. Relatively high in alcohol, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Merlot. Thick and juicy, its black fruits intermixed with acacia flowers, camphor, and subtle smoky notes are followed by a plump, corpulent style of wine with loads of fruit, glycerin and texture. Drink it over the next 15 or so years.” 90-92 Robert Parker
“Delivering 3.55pH with 14.4 % alcohol, a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Merlot, this has a very tightly wound bouquet with dark cherries, cassis and a touch of liquorice. There is a very fine sense of definition at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with sturdy, firm tannins, layers of mocha-tinged dark berried fruit leading to a structured, quite spicy finish with gentle but insistent grip.” Tasted March 2011. 92-94 Neil Martin
“Very dark purplish crimson. Markedly aromatic. Very lifted with a strong undertow. Racy and vibrant, just a little green note there and even orange peel. Great tension and even a little sucking-stone character. Much more structure than usual for Alter Ego. Certainly doesn’t taste hot. Alter Ego is still theoretically made specifically to be drunk young but 2010 presented a challenge to this philosophy! ‘In a vintage like 2010, you cannot go against it,’ Thomas Duroux. This tastes like a very smart wine off its own bat. A most unusual Alter Ego.” pH 3.55. 14.4%. 17/20 Jancis Robinson
“Floral and blackberry and currant. Full to medium body. Round and velvety with chocolate and nuts. A firm and structured Alter Ego.” 91-92 James Suckling
Château d’Issan
“Perfumed black and blue fruits on the nose. The palate is juicy and succulent with plenty of raspberry and cherry fruits to the fore. The tannins are wonderfully textured and well integrated creating a pleasant mouth feel. The wine is well structured and the acidity is kept in check with a good balance of fruit and tannin. Nice concentration towards the finish.” Drink from 2022. Genesis score 17+.
“Emmanuel Cruse has done a superb job at this moated castle on the southern approach to the appellation of Margaux. The dense blue/purple-tinged 2010 reveals notes of violets, blue and black fruits, a striking minerality, excellent purity, texture and length, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and noticeable but sweet, well-integrated tannins. It should drink well in 5-6 years and last 25-35.” 94-96 Robert Parker
“A blend of 39% Merlot and 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, cropped between 27th September and 14th October at 42hl/ha representing 53% of the crop, clocking 13.7% and a pH 3.81. It has a tightly-coiled, mineral-rich bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, a touch of blueberry and crushed violet. Good definition and very controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry, a little earthy with some sous-bois and cigar box emanating from the ripe Cabernet, good weight but not overbearing towards the finish. Very natural. This is not a show-stopping wine, but a d’Issan that you will gladly have on your table and deserves several years cellaring.” Tasted April 2011.
92-94 Neil Martin
“Final blend since Jan 2011.’ 55% new oak. Very dark crimson. Heady and perfumed and very Margaux. More subtle on the nose. Very sweet start with good freshness. Tighter and introvert. Needs a long time. The grown-up version of Blason d’Issan. Lovely delicacy. Very fine tannins on the end but with Margaux polish.” 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
“Starts off elegant and balanced, with blueberry and floral character. Full and silky. But turns chewy and mouth puckering. Very extracted. But will turn out really outstanding. Best from here in decades.” 93-94 James Suckling
Château Margaux
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5 % Petit Verdot.
“The highest amount of Cabernet Sauvignon ever in a Margaux. An amazing nose of concentrated black fruits, cassis and a touch of leather - almost feminine in style. Sensational on the palate, it has so much purity and precision, silky and wonderfully supple. The Cabernet fruit provides depth and power, cherry, boysenberry, blackberry fruits are all in the mix. It is tremendously balanced and exudes finesse with glorious texture. Brilliant wine.” Drink from 2030+. Genesis score 19.5.
“Paul Pontallier was rattling off some interesting statistics about Chateau Margaux. The 2000 (a great, great wine) was 13.1% natural alcohol, the 2005 13.1%, the 2009 13.2%, and the 2010, the highest ever measured, 13.5%. That is still nearly one degree less than the Pauillac first-growth of Chateau Latour at 14.4%. This blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc (representing only 38% of the total production) has the classic, quintessential Margaux character of spring flowers, almost cool-climate precision, medium body, and a seamless integration of tannin, wood and alcohol. The blue and black fruit characteristics are present, and the wine restrained. The most measured and polished of all the first growths I tasted, it is also less concentrated than any of the other first growths, but the elegance is classic. The harvest finished on October 15, which was not their latest by any means. This is one of the few first growths of 2010 where the tannins are remarkably delicate and sweet, and the softness of this wine will provide magical drinking at a relatively early age, yet its balance and concentration will carry it for 20 or more years.” 96-98 Robert Parker
“A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc with a pH 3.65 (it was 3.75 in 2009.) The Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the nose more than any other vintage of Chateau Margaux that I have tasted out of barrel, lending it a Pauillac-like personality. Blackberry, graphite and a soupcon of liquorice. The tannins are exceptionally fine, real backbone here and a sense of ambition that I think neither the 2008 nor even the 2009 demonstrated. The clarity on the finish is truly outstanding and it seems to mellow and gain more sensuality with further aeration.” Tasted March 2011. 97-99 Neil Martin
“Amazingly dark purple. Very, very strongly Cabernet Sauvignon (90% of the blend - only 2006 matched it) with some light vegetation at first which opened out and mellowed to something utterly seductive in the glass. Dry and intense. Very rich on the front and amazingly supple – it smells as though it may be going to be a bit of brute but on the palate it is still so intense and polished initially but then it is clear that there are masses and masses of tannins. There is noble, fine, perfectly confident, minerally fruit that opens out on the palate. It is thinkable to drink this already! Paul Pontallier: ‘We decanted the samples but it still grows in the glass.” 13.5%. 19/20 Jancis Robinson
“A phenomenal nose of roses, violets, and other flowers. Subtle yet rich raspberries and currants. It is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. The is a curious wine, almost ethereal. It is all in the front of the palate with ultra-fine tannins. It is full and very, very rich but it is forever balanced and in harmony What a wine. It is a pinpointed wine. So cerebral. It sends shivers down my spine. Incredible.” 100 James Suckling
Pavillon Blanc white
100% Sauvignon Blanc
“Quote from Chateau Margaux ‘superb vintage for the white’. Very perfumed on the nose, hints of white flowers, naunces of oak, brilliant crushed stone-like minerality and refreshing acidity too. The palate is so fresh and creamy, light lime zest tones with crisp granny-smith apple. Very vibrant and complete.”
Drink from 2022. Genesis score 17.5+.
“This year, this represents less than 40% of the crop. The Pavillon has very fine delineation on the nose with hints of lime flower and a little brioche, not as gregarious as recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine acidity on the entry, hints of green lemon, Clementine, a touch of white peach with very good tension towards the finish. Excellent.” Tasted March 2011. 91-93 Neil Martin
“Dense and rich with dried lemons, mangos, papaya and apples yet it’s super bright and crisp. It’s all there. Best ever white from Margaux?” 95-96 James Suckling
Pavillon Rouge
70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot
“Quote from Chateau Margaux ‘for us this is the best ever’. A very pretty nose, lots of floral notes with buckets of cassis. Rich, ripe, and juicy black fruits burst through on the palate providing serious depth and concentration. Well-integrated tannins are round and very noticeable. A structured mouth feel with plenty of fruit and freshness which carries through on the finish with a lifting touch of oak.” Drink from 2022. Genesis score 17.5.
“Actually higher in alcohol than its bigger sister, Chateau Margaux, the 2010 Pavillon Rouge (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot) hit 14% natural alcohol. Paul Pontallier proclaimed it the best they have ever made, representing only 38% of production. (This wine also undergoes a serious selection.) Plenty of black fruits, violets, forest floor and earth are present in this wonderfully textured, opulent wine, which will provide immediate gratification when it is released in a year. It should drink nicely for up to 15 or more years.” 90-92 Robert Parker
“A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot (from plots replanted by Paul Pontallier 14-15 years ago) and 30% Merlot, the Pavillon has a very dense bouquet of blackberry, a touch of cassis, violet and a little graphite/oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with very structured tannins, the acidity very prominent on the entry and cutting a swathe though that blackberry, graphite and just a faint hint of blueberry. There is bewitching symmetry towards the long finish. Superb.” Tasted March 2011. 92-94 Neil Martin
“Very noble indeed on the nose. Lovely supple stuff with clear first-growth influence. Very polished and dense and on the back the tannins really, really build up! This is a wine for the long term! Cool, dry finish. Very graceful. Feminine and very Margaux.” 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
“A wine that shows a lovely finesse and beauty with orange peel, flowers, blueberries and raspberries. Full and super fine texture. It goes on for minutes. I love the refinement. Paul Pontailler says it’s the best Pavillon that he has ever made. Second wine of Margaux.” 94-95 James Suckling
