Margaux

Release date: 10/6/2026

The 2025 Château Margaux is a wine that rewards patience. Tasting with Blandine de Rouffignac, the estate's lead oenologist, it was fascinating to hear how sugar ripeness raced ahead of phenolicThe 2025 Château Margaux is a wine that rewards patience. Tasting with Blandine de Rouffignac, the estate's lead oenologist, it was fascinating to hear how sugar ripeness raced ahead of phenolic ripeness by mid-August. Thankfully, cooler conditions at the end of the month bought valuable time, and the team resisted any temptation to rush. Confident in the health of the fruit, they waited for full ripeness before harvesting. That patience is evident in the glass. The wine combines remarkable concentration with an effortless sense of freshness. The fruit is beautifully ripe and abundant, with crunchy cassis, hints of peony and a touch of damp pot pourri adding aromatic complexity. Beneath it all runs a cool crushed-rock minerality that gives the wine energy and direction. The density here is striking, yet nothing feels heavy. Instead, the wine seems to gather momentum across the palate before a cool breeze of freshness carries it through the long, vibrant finish. A complete and deeply impressive Château Margaux, combining power, precision and grace in equal measure.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 10/6/2026

The 2025 Pavillon Rouge is a gorgeous, very sexy wine, a Margaux that captures the best the vintage had to offer. Succulent red cherry/plum fruit, mocha and new leather open first. This offersThe 2025 Pavillon Rouge is a gorgeous, very sexy wine, a Margaux that captures the best the vintage had to offer. Succulent red cherry/plum fruit, mocha and new leather open first. This offers gorgeous mid-palate pliancy and fabulous persistence, not to mention compelling balance all around. It's a very fine Pavillon Rouge, but one that will require cellaring as the tannins are quite imposing. Drinking range: 2033 - 2045 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Release date: 5/6/2026

The 2025 Rauzan-Ségla was picked September 2 to 15 at 29 hl/ha and matured in 60% new oak barrels. This has a slight marine scent on the nose, well defined and marked by pure black fruit laced withThe 2025 Rauzan-Ségla was picked September 2 to 15 at 29 hl/ha and matured in 60% new oak barrels. This has a slight marine scent on the nose, well defined and marked by pure black fruit laced with violet. Quintessential Rauzan Ségla. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant but firm tannins, just gorgeous caressing black fruit, bright acids that lend an almost sorbet-like freshness and vibrancy to the finish. This is a top-class Margaux and one of the best wines from the estate in recent years. Drinking range: 2031 - 2060 Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Release date: 4/6/2026

Violets and iris notes on the nose. Supple and succulent with a drop of sweet strawberries balanced against quite fresh blackcurrants, liquorice and cola. I love the texture – streamlined, focused,Violets and iris notes on the nose. Supple and succulent with a drop of sweet strawberries balanced against quite fresh blackcurrants, liquorice and cola. I love the texture – streamlined, focused, detailed, so smooth and sophisticated. Maybe a more dark profile than recent vintages but feels so well constructed with a firm frame and cool drive from start to finish. It has layers, this isn’t lacking in any power or muscle but it doesn’t have any heaviness or chew and in that respect it gives a lot of wine without much weight at all. Grippy, fun, interesting, captivating and so easy to drink. Potential upscore in bottle. 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc complete the blend. 3.63pH. A yield of 29hl/ha. Drinking range: 2032 - 2047 Rating: 95 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (Apr 2026)

Release date: 4/6/2026

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Cantenac Brown unwinds in the glass with notes of crème de criss, pencil shavings and a deft touch ofA blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Cantenac Brown unwinds in the glass with notes of crème de criss, pencil shavings and a deft touch of new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and suave, with sweet, powdery tannins and a fleshy, enveloping profile, it's broad-shouldered but judiciously extracted. Rating: 93-95 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2026)

Release date: 3/6/2026

The 2025 Brane-Cantenac is a wonderful example of how this vintage has defied expectations. Many anticipated rich, powerful wines in the mould of 2022, yet this has something quite different toThe 2025 Brane-Cantenac is a wonderful example of how this vintage has defied expectations. Many anticipated rich, powerful wines in the mould of 2022, yet this has something quite different to offer: air, grace and remarkable freshness alongside its undeniable concentration. Much of this is down to Brane's enviable position on Margaux's celebrated Terrace 4. The Grand Vin comes exclusively from this deep gravel plateau, where old vines planted after the devastating 1956 frost have now developed root systems capable of thriving even in the hottest years. In 2025, those deep roots proved invaluable, allowing the vines to avoid the hydric stress that affected many neighbours. The result is a wine of effortless charm. Crème de cassis, ripe plum and gentle spice flow across the palate, pushed forward by bright energy and a beautifully classical sense of proportion. Refined yet immediately appealing, it combines generosity with poise in a way few wines manage. There is plenty of substance here, but it is delivered with such ease and elegance that it feels almost weightless. A superb Brane-Cantenac and one of the most complete wines of the vintage. 2025 marks 100 years of the Lurton family here - and they are celebrating with a one-off special label to mark the occasion.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 3/6/2026

Baron de Brane is a blend of 59% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc, aged for 12 months in barrel with just 30% new oak. The fruit is supple and inviting, with gentle weight and aBaron de Brane is a blend of 59% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc, aged for 12 months in barrel with just 30% new oak. The fruit is supple and inviting, with gentle weight and a lovely sense of flow across the palate. What really stands out, though, is the freshness. It gives the wine energy, lift and real charm. Fine-boned, polished and thoroughly enjoyable, this is a super effort and even from barrel, this is already remarkably easy to love.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 1/6/2026

A very pure, very classic - but almost 'maxed' Giscours this year. Classic aromas - of blackcurrant, plum, rose petals and cigar box - all delivered with purity and drive. Un muddled - focused andA very pure, very classic - but almost 'maxed' Giscours this year. Classic aromas - of blackcurrant, plum, rose petals and cigar box - all delivered with purity and drive. Un muddled - focused and very pretty Margaux - but with enough guts to give this an added layer of charm. Pretty, perfumed and yet indulgent.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 22/5/2026

The 2025 Palmer is unusual in that Merlot drives the blend this year. That results in an unusually juicy Grand Vin. Even so, there's plenty of supporting structure. The blend is 55% Merlot, 41%The 2025 Palmer is unusual in that Merlot drives the blend this year. That results in an unusually juicy Grand Vin. Even so, there's plenty of supporting structure. The blend is 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Black fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice, gravel and chocolate build into a driving, potent finish. There's a lot of gravitas and substance here. I am very much looking forward to tasting this as a finished wine; my impression today is that the 2025 is holding back quite a bit of its potential. Drinking range: 2035 - 2065 Rating: 96-98 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 22/5/2026

The 2025 Alter Ego de Palmer unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums and violets, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated palate defined by lively acids andThe 2025 Alter Ego de Palmer unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums and violets, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated palate defined by lively acids and plenty of sweet, powdery tannin. Checking in at 13% alcohol, it's a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. The low yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare might shock other estates, but Palmer has become much more habituated to such numbers in recent years. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (May 2026)

Release date: 21/5/2026

The 2025 Durfort-Vivens offers a striking mix of textural intensity and finesse. Crushed flowers, mint, lavender, sage, tobacco and incense add tons of inner sweetness and perfume. Dark red/purplishThe 2025 Durfort-Vivens offers a striking mix of textural intensity and finesse. Crushed flowers, mint, lavender, sage, tobacco and incense add tons of inner sweetness and perfume. Dark red/purplish fruit emerges with time. This really opens beautifully with a bit of time in the glass, showing commendable textural presence and tons of class to match. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot. All it needs is time to open texturally. That should come with bottle age. Drinking range: 2035 - 2065 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 21/5/2026

Chocolate, blackcurrant and vanilla with blackcurrant leaf, some liquorice and dried flowers on the nose. Grippy and filling but light on its feet in terms of tannic strength. You get the body, theChocolate, blackcurrant and vanilla with blackcurrant leaf, some liquorice and dried flowers on the nose. Grippy and filling but light on its feet in terms of tannic strength. You get the body, the concentration and the intensity but the fruit purity really stands out – blackcurrant, blueberry and black cherry with lots of fresh mint, graphite, cola and liquorice. Quite a stately wine with a streamlined finish. Still young and firm. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.6pH. A yield of 25hl/ha. 45% grand vin production. Rating: 96 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (Apr 2026)

Release date: 20/5/2026

A wonderfully intense and vibrant Labegorce. Margaux has a had a really good year in 2025 - and even some of the less well known Chateau have knocked it out of the park. Labegorce is superb. Deep inA wonderfully intense and vibrant Labegorce. Margaux has a had a really good year in 2025 - and even some of the less well known Chateau have knocked it out of the park. Labegorce is superb. Deep in colour and with a shade more grunt than some - the fruit here is dense and wonderfully intense with a dark brooding air. There is plenty of grippy structure - but a feel of creaminess builds and this is deeply satisfying and smartly built. A very grown-up Bordeaux for classicists. Power and grace here in spades. Bravo. Just 30% New Wood this year. (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc & 4% Petit Verdot.) Drinking range: 2032 - 2042L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 19/5/2026

A crunchy and savory red with blackberry, black cherry and dark mushroom aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with juicy tannins and a fresh and forest-like aftertaste. A blend of 55% cabernetA crunchy and savory red with blackberry, black cherry and dark mushroom aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with juicy tannins and a fresh and forest-like aftertaste. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, and 9% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 19/5/2026

The 2025 Ferrière was picked from 5 to 19 September, and this year includes a slightly higher percentage of Petit Verdot. It is matured in 35% new barrels and 30% in ovoid concrete tanks/amphora.The 2025 Ferrière was picked from 5 to 19 September, and this year includes a slightly higher percentage of Petit Verdot. It is matured in 35% new barrels and 30% in ovoid concrete tanks/amphora. This has a delightful, well-defined bouquet with iris flower and subtle undergrowth scents, plenty of black fruit, yet it feels streamlined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, silky smooth in texture, a keen line of acidity and more minéralité on the finish compared to its Margaux “sibling”, La Gurgue. This is a delicious Margaux that will be approachable in its youth but will age in bottle. Just 12.7% alcohol here. Drinking range: 2030 - 2055 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Release date: 12/5/2026

The 2025 du Tertre is powerful and quite dense, but also shows more finesse than I have seen in some time. Floral overtones immediately convey elegance. Hints of blue-toned fruit, lavender, spice andThe 2025 du Tertre is powerful and quite dense, but also shows more finesse than I have seen in some time. Floral overtones immediately convey elegance. Hints of blue-toned fruit, lavender, spice and sage develop over time. Polished, supple contours frame it all effortlessly. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2033 - 2045 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 11/5/2026

Very sophisticated nose here - gorgeous spice from well selected oak framing a pretty and delicately floral red fruit. On the palate this theme continues - with good concentration to the prettyVery sophisticated nose here - gorgeous spice from well selected oak framing a pretty and delicately floral red fruit. On the palate this theme continues - with good concentration to the pretty raspberry and red cherry fruit core, darkened a little buy a neat vein of crunching cassis. Margaux had a good year- and this is another example where that quality shines out.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 6/5/2026

In the line-up of Margaux in 2025 - which had a good, largely high standard across the board - Malescot stood out for its flashy concentration and bold frame. Quite dense, quite glossy core and fullIn the line-up of Margaux in 2025 - which had a good, largely high standard across the board - Malescot stood out for its flashy concentration and bold frame. Quite dense, quite glossy core and full throttle. Its more burly and far less graceful at this early stage then its neighbours. Fans of the Chateau will not be disappointed though - this is just a bold, high volume edition of this solid performer. L&S (Apr 2026)