Margaux

If Pauillac can be seen as the bastion of "traditional" Red Bordeaux, then Margaux represents its other facet in producing wines that are among the most sensual and alluring of Bordeaux. It is the biggest commune in the Médoc encompassing the communes of Cantenac, Soussans, Arsac andLabaude in addition to Margaux itself It is located in the centre of the Haut-Médoc, and is the closest of the important communes to the city of Bordeaux.

The soils in Margaux are the lightest and most gravelly of the Médoc with some of the soils also containing a high percentage of sand. Vineyards located in Cantenac and Margaux make up the core of the appelation with the best vineyard sites being located on well-drained slopes. It is these lighter, well-drained soils which give Margaux its deft touch and silky perfumes. Further from the water there is a greater clay content and the wines are less dramatically perfumed.

Margaux is the most diffuse of all the Médoc appelations with a reputation for scaling the heights with irreproachable wines such as Ch. Margaux and Ch. Palmer, but also plumbing the depths, with too many other Château not fulfilling their potential. There has been an upward shift in recent years, but the appellation cannot yet boast the reliability of St Julien. However the finest Margaux are exquisitely perfumed and and are models of refinement and subtlety which have few parallels in Bordeaux.

Recommended Château
Ch. Margaux, Ch. Palmer, Ch. Brane-Cantenac, Ch. Rauzan-Ségla , Ch. Dufort-Vivens, Ch. Ferrière, Ch. du Tertre, Ch. Giscours, Ch. d'Angludet.