Margaux 1996

Margaux 1996

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  • Robert Parker rating 100
  • Vinous rating 98
  • Jane Anson rating 98
  • The Wine Independent rating 98
  • Jancis Robinson rating 17
Margaux 1996
27 left

HED0576

75 cl

12.5%
£910.00
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Since the 17th Century, the Grand Vin of Château Margaux has been recognised as being one of the greatest wines in the entire world. 1996 was an exceptionally late harvest and, though of high quality, produced incredibly powerful, muscular and long-lived wines. Composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, this is an incredibly complex wine really only just beginning to hit its stride. It has immense layers of deeply concentrated fruits, superb mineral tension and fine, lacy tannins, with an extraordinarily long finish of outstanding precision and freshness. Perhaps one of the most complete expressions of Margaux ever released.
98 Vinous
The 1996 Château Margaux stands as one of the pinnacles during Paul Pontallier's illustrious tenure. I remember it dazzling out of barrel, perhaps my first memory of tasting wine at that prenatal stage. It has retained the fabulous tension and freshness on the nose, every atom infused with mineralité, subtle pressed flower/violet scents unfurling with aeration. The palate has unerring symmetry, perfectly balanced with filigree tannin and lovely acidity. It's a wine where everything seems to be in its right place. Blackberry, crushed stone at the front of the mouth and a touch of spice toward the finish show supreme control. This is a Margaux that seems to light up the senses. It was outstanding in its youth...something that has not changed one bit over the intervening two decades. This may well turn out to be the Left Bank pinnacle of the 1990s. Tasted July 2016.Neal Martin1st September 2023
98 Jane Anson
Medium garnet in color with a touch of brick, the 1996 Chateau Margaux prances out with the most gorgeous perfume of violets and rose bud tea, leading to a core of red currant jelly, raspberry preserves, tar, and fragrant soil, with a touch of cinnamon stick. The light to medium-bodied palate has an enticing silkiness to the texture with great tension framing the delicate red berry flavors, finishing long and perfumed. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4%Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.Lisa Perrotti-Brown21st November 2024
98 The Wine Independent
Medium garnet in color with a touch of brick, the 1996 Chateau Margaux prances out with the most gorgeous perfume of violets and rose bud tea, leading to a core of red currant jelly, raspberry preserves, tar, and fragrant soil, with a touch of cinnamon stick. The light to medium-bodied palate has an enticing silkiness to the texture with great tension framing the delicate red berry flavors, finishing long and perfumed. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4%Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.Lisa Perrotti-Brown21st November 2024
17 Jancis Robinson
Very deep, young, well-spread crimson. Briary, deep-flavoured, unformed but very dense. These wines are much more similar than any of the other flights. Fine nose and big and brawny. But less Margaux than some others. (JR)

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Chateau Margaux

Chateau Margaux

A Legacy of Fine Wine

Château Margaux is one of the most striking constructions in the Bordeaux appellation, a large grand house built in the early 18th century on an estate that has been producing fine wine for hundreds of years, with a history dating back to the 12th century Bordeaux wine tradition. Quality was known to fluctuate in the first half of the 20th century, but that period of inconsistency ended with the arrival of wunderkind Paul Pontallier, a talented winemaker who worked nearly 35 vintages and produced some of the greatest wines in living memory. Paul passed on in 2016, and the team is now led by Philippe Bascaules and Sebastien Vergne, with consultancy from Eric Boissenot.

82 hectares are dedicated to red wine vines, with around 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Château Margaux produces around 30,000 cases of wine annually, with the Grand Vin accounting for around 35% of that total. Among their celebrated wines is Pavillon Rouge, the second wine of the estate, which stands as a testament to the estate's commitment to quality.

In addition to their renowned red wines, Château Margaux also produces a limited quantity of Sauvignon Blanc, adding another layer to their esteemed collection of Margaux wines. This white wine complements their offerings and demonstrates the estate’s versatility.

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