Margaux

Release date: 2/6/2025

Such a floral wine, aromatics that really take hold and grip on through the palate, raspberry, black cherry, edges of rosebud, chalk, white tea, crayon, chalk, iris, has real precision, and aSuch a floral wine, aromatics that really take hold and grip on through the palate, raspberry, black cherry, edges of rosebud, chalk, white tea, crayon, chalk, iris, has real precision, and a slow-burn unspooling of flavours, salted cracker salinity on the finish. 46% of the overall production is in Château Margaux, 30hl/ha yield after sorting through the year as needed. Harvest September 23 to October 8. Philippe Bascaules director, 3.62ph. Excellent quality, one of the wines of the vintage, with a slightly earlier starting date for drinking than usual, eight years following harvest. Drinking range: 2032 - 2050 Rating: 96 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2025)

Release date: 2/6/2025

The 2024 Pavillon Rouge contains less Merlot and more Cabernet Franc this year due to more plantings in the vineyard, and represents 28% of the total production. Raised in 50% new oak, it has aThe 2024 Pavillon Rouge contains less Merlot and more Cabernet Franc this year due to more plantings in the vineyard, and represents 28% of the total production. Raised in 50% new oak, it has a pretty nose with blackberry, blueberry, crushed stone and light oyster shell aromas that gain a little intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with brisk tannins. This is a very linear and structured Pavillon Rouge that does not possess the flesh or sensuality of warmer vintages, as you would expect with less Merlot in the blend. Quite saline on the finish, this will require two or three years in bottle. Drinking range: 2028 - 2039 Rating: 89-91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2025)

Release date: 27/5/2025

A Beautifully judged Brane Cantenac in this complicated vintage. The Lurtons have grabbed all the positives and crafted a wine that is full of bright joy. Hard work in the vineyard made thisA Beautifully judged Brane Cantenac in this complicated vintage. The Lurtons have grabbed all the positives and crafted a wine that is full of bright joy. Hard work in the vineyard made this possible, with leaf removal in July and again in September - to battle the risk of mildew and botrytis. Minimising the canopy allowing for better ventilation through the vines. Pert, with gentle rub of powder - purple plum and lovely bright lines. Energy is king here - a delicate, charming yet peppy number. Really smart and charming Margaux. Impressive. L&S (May 2025)

Release date: 27/5/2025

The 2024 Baron de Brane is aromatic and brisk in its first impression. Strong floral and savory notes lead into a core of dark blue/purplish fruit. Lavender, spice, dried herbs and menthol open withThe 2024 Baron de Brane is aromatic and brisk in its first impression. Strong floral and savory notes lead into a core of dark blue/purplish fruit. Lavender, spice, dried herbs and menthol open with a bit of time in the glass. In 2024, the Baron is gracious and inviting. Production will be down by about 50% because of selection, with many of the lots going into Margaux de Brane, the château's third wine. Drinking range: 2026 - 2034 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 23/5/2025

Excellent depth and good purity of fruit, showing lots of blackcurrants, dark minerals and violet extract. Full-bodied, this has plenty of fine-grained tannins and a hallmark Palmer tannin structureExcellent depth and good purity of fruit, showing lots of blackcurrants, dark minerals and violet extract. Full-bodied, this has plenty of fine-grained tannins and a hallmark Palmer tannin structure and framework. Quite tight and juicy at the end with a lasting finish and lots of volume. 13.2% alcohol. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 23/5/2025

Good depth here for the vintage, showing rich dark cherries, mulberries, violets and mussel shells. A hint of dried fruit too. Medium- to full-bodied with some nicely chewy tannins and a tight, juicyGood depth here for the vintage, showing rich dark cherries, mulberries, violets and mussel shells. A hint of dried fruit too. Medium- to full-bodied with some nicely chewy tannins and a tight, juicy finish. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot and 6% petit verdot. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 23/5/2025

The 2024 du Tertre is packed with blackberry, graphite, incense, licorice, chocolate and cloves, all of which confer somber gravitas. There's enough depth to make me think the 2024 will come togetherThe 2024 du Tertre is packed with blackberry, graphite, incense, licorice, chocolate and cloves, all of which confer somber gravitas. There's enough depth to make me think the 2024 will come together nicely in the cellar. This is nicely done. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 21/5/2025

70 CS 27.5 M 1.5 CF 1 PV Some notes of peat and sweet herbs here with a hoisin plum fruit quality. Bold fruit extract with plum and cassis. Quite rich fleshy palate, especially for the vintage70 CS 27.5 M 1.5 CF 1 PV Some notes of peat and sweet herbs here with a hoisin plum fruit quality. Bold fruit extract with plum and cassis. Quite rich fleshy palate, especially for the vintage and with very fine tannins indeed. Fresh acidity and great elegance and poise on the finish. Really very good. Rating: 92 Rod Smith MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 19/5/2025

The 2024 Giscours is impressive. Elegant and sleek, with fine balance, Giscours is all class. The bouquet alone is so enticing. Small red berry fruit, spice, tobacco, mint and cedar are all finelyThe 2024 Giscours is impressive. Elegant and sleek, with fine balance, Giscours is all class. The bouquet alone is so enticing. Small red berry fruit, spice, tobacco, mint and cedar are all finely sketched in a mid-weight, nervy Giscours that is quite showy right out of the gate. There is a bit of edginess in the tannins, but that's not anything that can't be addressed with élevage. A closing burst of aromatics leaves a long-lasting impression. Tasted three times. Drinking range: 2032 - 2044 Rating: 93-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 19/5/2025

The 2024 Lascombes represents another important step for Lascombes under its current leadership. Silky and elegant, with notable depth, the Grand Vin impresses with its textural resonance andThe 2024 Lascombes represents another important step for Lascombes under its current leadership. Silky and elegant, with notable depth, the Grand Vin impresses with its textural resonance and persistence. New leather, licorice, lavender and incense weave through a core of dark-toned fruit. Lascombes is shaping up to be one of the sleepers of 2024. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. Impressive. Tasted three times. Drinking range: 2034 - 2054 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 16/5/2025

It is funny how communes gather their vintage reputations from the whole, not individual Châteaux. In 2024, Margaux is one of the less exciting places to shop, and yet, alongside the remarkableIt is funny how communes gather their vintage reputations from the whole, not individual Châteaux. In 2024, Margaux is one of the less exciting places to shop, and yet, alongside the remarkable wines from Palmer and Margaux itself, there are some solid performers, which you can read about in my comprehensive report. There is no hurry, I suspect, to load up with these peripheral wines, as stocks are unlikely to run dry any time soon. But there is one shining light. An exception. A wine that slots in neatly alongside the aforementioned cosmonauts, hovering high over the expectant throng below. Rausan-Ségla is fast-cementing its reputation as a staggeringly impressive wine and one of considerable detail, beauty and, dare I say it, genuine qualité prix. Refined, intricately detailed and reassuringly firm on the finish, this is a fascinating and involving wine, and it looks set to break the mould for the vintage, offering a wine that will flatter in its youth but will undoubtedly improve incrementally with age and perhaps make two decades and more! While the Cabernet component falls short of 2/3 involvement, this variety stands proud in the glass with terrific concentration and majesty. The silhouette is unquestionably classical, resolutely medium-weight and spellbindingly intense without ever feeling muscular or brittle. Combine these traits with stunning potential on account of the beautifully toned tannins, and you have an unmissable combination of characteristics. Rating: 18.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2025)

Release date: 15/5/2025

A perfumed and spicy nose, showing fresh herbs, blackcurrants, dark cherries and a touch of wet stones and white pepper. Juicy and bright on the palate with structured, fine-grained tannins and aA perfumed and spicy nose, showing fresh herbs, blackcurrants, dark cherries and a touch of wet stones and white pepper. Juicy and bright on the palate with structured, fine-grained tannins and a solid finish of good length. This has some midterm potential. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 14/5/2025

The 2024 Château d’Issan is a classic blend picked between September 26 and October 8, matured in 50% new oak. This has a quintessential Margaux nose with crushed violet permeating the black fruit,The 2024 Château d’Issan is a classic blend picked between September 26 and October 8, matured in 50% new oak. This has a quintessential Margaux nose with crushed violet permeating the black fruit, fine delineation, focus and satisfying vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with a surprisingly sweet entry and decent grip. Blueberry infuses the mid-palate and a dash of white pepper and a little graphite emerge toward the finish. This d'Issan probably has the legs to mature in bottle for up to 20 years, though its lack of substance means that I would be more inclined to drink this in its flush of youth. Drinking range: 2029 - 2055 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2025)

Release date: 12/5/2025

68 CS 18 M 8 CF 5 PV 1 Carmenere 13.1% Dried herbs and fresh blackcurrant fruit aromas. Fresh acidity and fruitiness in the mouth with juicy blackcurrants and mid-weight tannins. Fresh dry sappy68 CS 18 M 8 CF 5 PV 1 Carmenere 13.1% Dried herbs and fresh blackcurrant fruit aromas. Fresh acidity and fruitiness in the mouth with juicy blackcurrants and mid-weight tannins. Fresh dry sappy finish. Rating: 90 Rod Smith MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 12/5/2025

53 M 40 CS 7 PV 13% Spicy and savoury oak aromas with dark prune and plum fruit and some wild flowers. Plenty of depth and no green-edge to the tannins, with fresh acidity and enough fleshy53 M 40 CS 7 PV 13% Spicy and savoury oak aromas with dark prune and plum fruit and some wild flowers. Plenty of depth and no green-edge to the tannins, with fresh acidity and enough fleshy weight of fruit. This is quite a rich example for the vintage. Rating: 92 Rod Smith MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 6/5/2025

Very good, bright fruit with a floral edge to the red cherries and currants. A hint of paprika, white pepper and olives. Nicely balanced and structured, this has supple medium body and an extremelyVery good, bright fruit with a floral edge to the red cherries and currants. A hint of paprika, white pepper and olives. Nicely balanced and structured, this has supple medium body and an extremely long finish. Juicy, pristine and firm. Lots of poise and beautiful fluidity. 94.5% cabernet sauvignon. From biodynamically grown grapes. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2025)

Release date: 6/5/2025

Claire Lurton Villars' brilliant Margaux has long been one of our 'under the radar' picks en primeur. Its not always the easiest wine to taste young - loaded as it is with dark fruit, charming gripClaire Lurton Villars' brilliant Margaux has long been one of our 'under the radar' picks en primeur. Its not always the easiest wine to taste young - loaded as it is with dark fruit, charming grip and a serious, line of firm black berries. There's a charry, brooding intensity. And yet there is real charm here too and with patience drinkers will find great joy after at least 6-7 years. Once again in 2024 Claire has made a great Margaux that suggests good value for the commune. Tis is one of the few wines that has not been chaptalised in 2024 - and there is an honest freshness and energy that is very enticing here. It also means this is weighing in at just 12.2% alcohol - but it remains no push-over. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.L&S (Apr 2025)

Release date: 6/5/2025

60 Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 Merlot, 15 Petit Verdot: 12.11% alc: 3.74 pH: 12 hl/ha: Harvested from 25 September to 8 October

There was no botrytis recorded here, which is absolutely60 Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 Merlot, 15 Petit Verdot: 12.11% alc: 3.74 pH: 12 hl/ha: Harvested from 25 September to 8 October

There was no botrytis recorded here, which is absolutely remarkable. Claire Villars-Lurton said that this was wholly due to their Demeter-certified practices. While Merlot suffered slightly with mildew, Petit Verdot was quite resistant, and Cabernet took the strain in the blend. The nose here is superb, and there was no need for chaptalisation. The ripe tannins and gentle extraction mean this is a dark, spicy, gourmand style with innate balance and lip-smacking freshness. 17+/20 Rating: 17+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2025)