Chateau Margaux, Margaux, 1er Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, 2016 Tasting notes

I missed the late Paul Pontalier’s sparkle in his eyes and his enthusiasm about the new vintage. Fortunately the family tradition is continued and I tasted in Margaux’s new cellar with Paul’s son Thibault Pontallier, who was citing his father many times. Pontallier’s successor, Philippe Bascaules, who worked with Paul Pontalier for more than twenty years, was running the Inglenook winery in the Napa Valley. He has now returned to Margaux as Managing Director while continuing to be involved with the winemaking at Inglenook. His first full vintage at Margaux will be the 2017.

Pavillion Rouge de Chateau Margaux (18 points)
[84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot]

Small crop, due to strong selection with just 26% of the harvest, including the wine from some plots that used to produce Chateau Margaux just a few years ago. The color is deep clear ruby red. Rather discreet on the nose with an elegant expression of subtle red and black fruit. Crisp and with a super freshness. Decent complexity with a precise expression of mostly black fruit. Elegant tannins and a decent length. Not beating his elder brother from the famous 2015.

Chateau Margaux 19+ points
[94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot]

Deeper color than the Pavillion. Complex, almost shy nose that takes a moment to show itself. Loads of silky tannins are very present without being dominating. Dense and concentrated but delicate and subtle at the same time. What I found striking of the Margaux in this vintage is the extraordinary freshness and length. A wine that will age for decades.

Pavillion Blanc of Chateau Margaux (19,5 points)
[This white wine of Chateau Margaux is, as always, made of 100% Sauvignon Blanc]

Light delicate golden green color. A delicate almost floral nose. Crisp minerality, almost salty on the palate with hints of iodine. Incredibly long with a superb precision of the (citrus) fruit. Worthy of the long lineage of great Pavillion Blanc wines from great vintages. One of my favorite (dry) white wines this year.