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Description
Tasting notes

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Since 1978 there have been only two first-growths (or two of the so-called "big eight" of Bordeaux) that have been consistently excellent to superb - Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Margaux. Margaux's admirable consistency is well-displayed in the 1993-95 wines. An excellent dark ruby/purple color accompanies a soft, smoky, blackcurrant-scented wine. Although round, generous, sexy, and alluring, the 1993 does not possess enough length to justify an outstanding score, but I would not be surprised to see that develop with another 2-3 years of bottle age. It is a beautifully made, elegant, rich style of Margaux that can be drunk now, or cellared for 15+ years.

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Less than 50% of Margaux's 1993 harvest made the grade for the estate's "grand vin." A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and the 2% Cabernet Franc, Margaux's 1993 is atypically supple and seductive. It offers an impressively saturated ruby/purple color, an intense fragrance of red and black fruits, toast, and spring flowers, and a voluptuously-textured, multi-layered personality, with expansive, sweet, ripe fruit. It is surprisingly forward, without the mouth-aching tannin possessed by many 1993s. The wine is medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, and reminiscent of this property's splendid 1985. Capable of lasting for 20-25 years, it should turn out to be one of the most seductive and popular 1993 clarets. Very impressive!

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
In a difficult vintage, Chateau Margaux produced a relatively mid-weight, soft, richly fruit wine with some hints of weedy tobacco in the aromas and flavors of this dark plum-colored wine. The wine is medium-bodied, reaching full maturity, and has surprising depth, ripeness, and sweetness for a wine from such a horrific year. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 10/02.
About the Producer
Chateau Margaux is located in the village of Margaux, in the Medoc appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux, and was awarded a First Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Medoc classification, alongside Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour and Château Haut-Brion. It is also known as Chateau Haut-Brion. Château Margaux currently covers a total of 262 hectares, including 99 hectares of vineyards. The red vineyard has an appellation of 87 hectares, of which 82 hectares are planted, while the white vineyard is planted with 12 hectares. The red varieties are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc; the white varieties are Sauvignon Blanc and the vines are on average 45 years old. Since the end of the 1990s, the estate has refused to use pesticides in the vineyards. In addition, only organic fertilisers are used in the vineyard, and deep fertilisation is carried out at regular intervals to improve the soil structure and rejuvenate the soil. During the harvest season, the winery team selects the right time to harvest the grapes by testing and analysing all the indicators and by tasting the grapes themselves. Once the grapes have reached their ideal state of ripeness, they are harvested by a team of over 200 trained harvesters. Once in the winery, the grapes undergo a rigorous selection process before being de-stemmed. Both oak barrels and stainless steel tanks are used to ferment the red grapes, while the white grapes are fermented entirely in oak barrels. After the alcoholic fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation. The red wines are then left to mature in oak barrels for 18-24 months and the whites for 6-8 months. The main wine of the estate, Château Margaux's red wine, is rich and complex, with an elegant and powerful ballet on the tongue, rich and smooth tannins, good balance and a long, fresh finish with excellent ageing potential. It successfully conquered Napoleon Bonaparte, the founder of the First French Empire, and won the hearts of Thomas Jefferson, the founding father of the United States, and Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady" of England. In the world of wine criticism, Château Margaux's red wines have also been recognised, with four perfect scores from Robert Parker and many more from other critics with 95 points or more. In recent years, the quality of Château Margaux's red wines has been steady and has maintained a high level of interest in the market.