The last of the First Growths to be released this year has now come out. Margaux 2019 was released at €330 per bottle ex-negociant, down 19.1% on the 2018’s opening price of €408. It is being offered by the international trade at £4,200 per 12×75, down 17.8% on the 2018’s release of £5,112 per case.
Neal Martin (Vinous, 96-98) said that this is “a beautifully proportioned Château Margaux, somehow “effortless”, fanning out nonchalantly with residues of white pepper and fresh tobacco on the finish. Outstanding.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Advocate) published her assessment this morning, rating the wine 97-100. She revealed that “the 2019 Château Margaux is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, accounting for 37% of the crop. The alcohol came in at 13.9%”. Perrotti-Brown added that “the medium-bodied palate quivers with energy, emitting loads of mineral sparks, featuring bold freshness and fantastically ripe, finely grained tannins to support the delicate, perfumed layers, finishing very long and wonderfully poised. The juxtaposition between the acidity and the richness in this Château Margaux is just extraordinary!”
Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine the same range of 97-100, calling it “a quintessential Château Margaux”.
The wine also received 98 points from Jane Anson (Decanter), according to whom “this is close in character to the 2009 or 2015, two exceptional vintages at Margaux and classic to the graceful yet concentrated signature of the property”.
Prices for Margaux show 70% correlation to ‘Benchmark Critic’ scores. Today’s release price thus positions the 2019 below the ‘Fair Value’ line.
Buyers of physical stock might consider the 2016 (NM 98), available at only a 9.5% premium.
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Our Bordeaux 2019 pages contain everything you need to know about this year’s En Primeur campaign; analysis tools, critics scores, reports and more.
