Margaux
If Pauillac is the bastion of ‘traditional’ Red Bordeaux, Margaux represents its other facet in producing wines that are some of the region’s most sensual and alluring. The largest commune in the Médoc, it encompasses the communes of Cantenac, Soussans, Arsac and Labaude, in addition to the village of Margaux itself. Its finest examples are paragons of refinement and subtlety which have few parallels in Bordeaux.
If Pauillac can be seen as the bastion of ‘traditional’ Red Bordeaux, then Margaux represents its other facet in producing wines that are among Bordeaux’s most sensual and alluring. It is the largest commune in the Médoc, encompassing the communes of Cantenac, Soussans, Arsac and Labaude, in addition to Margaux itself. Located in the centre of the Haut-Médoc, Margaux 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 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, whose lighter soils give Margaux its deft touch and silky perfumes. Further away 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 châteaux 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 models of refinement and subtlety which have few parallels in Bordeaux.
Recommended Châteaux: Ch. Margaux, Ch. Palmer, Ch. Brane-Cantenac, Ch. Rauzan-Ségla , Ch. Dufort-Vivens, Ch. Ferrière, Ch. du Tertre, Ch. Giscours, Ch. d'Angludet.
Prices:
Bottle
£20.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 62cs
Bottle
£21.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 430cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 6cs
Bottle
£29.60
Bottle 12 x 75cl 30cs
Simon Staples, Sales Director - Asia
The rejuvenated Ch. du Tertre is steadily building a reputation for excellent value for money. The 2014 has a lovely expressive nose, with sweet red fruits combining effortlessly with aromas of floral cassis and dried fruit. There are generous helpings of blackberries and cream on the palate which sit wonderfully alongside the elegant Margaux femininity. Fine tannins, crunchy black fruit and excellent length. The Cabernet Franc provides a really strong backbone and the Cabernet Sauvignon a structure and texture, which is typical of this commune. There is a lovely peppery focus here, courtesy of the Cabernet Franc. Focused and direct, it is a real pleasure to taste this wine, even at such an early stage, straight from barrel. It's one of the best du Tertre wines we have tasted in many years.
Bottle
£36.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 18cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Simon Staples, Asia Sales Director
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 20cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 2cs
Stuart Rae, Fine Wine Commercial Manager
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 57cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Simon Staples, Sales Director - Asia
Round and seductive, Ch. Giscours is brimming with dark fruit this year, showing an inky colour. It is neatly packed with dense fruit, with good concentration and luscious tannins. Black fruit dominates the nose and palate. There is an elegance here, alongside a structure which demonstrates the super terroir of this property and indeed the appellation. Cool, refreshing acidity appears on the finish and textured tannins complete a really attractive mouth-feel. A broad, fleshy fruit profile really appeals.
Bottle
£49.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl 5cs
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle
£45.10
Bottle 6 x 75cl 44cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 6cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Simon Staples, Asia Director
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 145cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 29cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Bottle
£51.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 3cs
(Jake Dean, BBR Fine Wine Sales Manager - Oct 08) Owner Henri Lurton has made quite a reputation for himself (no mean feat when there are so many other winemaking Lurtons in Bordeaux) by dragging this Second Growth back to close to its best. This is a highly attractive, feminine wine,with a smooth, spicy, vanilla nose, silky raspberry and blackcurrant fruit and a pure, intense finish. Henri's selection for this wine was ruthless, with less than 40% making it into the Grand Vin. Made in an early-drinking style, the extra good news is that Henri's wines alwaysfill out and improve in their second year thus making this a very smart buy indeed.
(Simon Staples - BBR Fine Wine Director - Jun 07)
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 10cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 36cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Bottle
£60.80
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Simon Staples, Fine Wine Director
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 114cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 3cs
Case price (Jeroboam 1 x 500cl)
Jeroboam 1 x 500cl 20cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 4cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Magnum 6 x 150cl 1cs
One of the top second wines, Alter Ego is lush and approachable, with red fruit dominant on the nose. The wine almost has its own identity now, one of the greatest compliments we can pay it. Beautifully fine tannins surround a mighty, meaty, focused core of fresh, ripe, crunchy fruit and a creamy texture. Very good indeed, the length is quite astonishing. Really enticing and attractive, this is a real triumph indeed.
Blend: 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 10cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
D. Magnum 1 x 300cl 1cs
Bottle
£65.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl 17cs
In 2004 Giscours produced a restrained and precise example. Powerful yet sophisticated, densely fruited yet refined, this is one of the most masculine wines of the Margaux appellation. The 2004 vintage is seriously under-rated and it’s in a cool style, with elegant fruit and a structure which allows the terroir to shine through.
Bottle
£70.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl 47cs
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle
£76.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Hong Kong Fine Wine Team
Bottle
£78.19
Giscours typically produces one of the most masculine wines of the Margaux appellation and one which normally requires a little patience. Defined by its rich, dark fruit, complex structure and wonderful, classic perfume, this elegant 2001 is nonetheless drinking beautifully now, yet will last another five years.
Bottle
£81.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl 3cs
Simon Staples, Fine Wine Director
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 19cs
Bottle
£88.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 15cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Magnum 6 x 150cl)
Magnum 6 x 150cl 10cs
A difficult summer and September comprised the Merlot in 2002, but the Left Bank’s Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines enjoyed the Indian summer. Reaching its peak now, this Giscours has charming notes of cedar and pencil lead, with a poised, elegant palate and finish.
Case price (Magnum 6 x 150cl)
Magnum 6 x 150cl 4cs
2002 International Wine Challenge Cab. Sauvignon & Merlot/Bordeaux Trophy Winner
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 4cs
Simon Staples - Berrys' Fine Wine Director - 25-Nov-2009
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Presented in a wooden box
Special
£310.00
Special 1 x 300cl 228cs
This is a superb vintage for Chateau Margaux, and while it may be too early to say this, the 2008 appears superior to the 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.... As always, the first characteristic one notices is the extraordinary floral component as well as the sweet black currant fruit allied to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and superb freshness and delineation. In many ways, the 2008 is reminiscent of the 1996, but the former wine is showing even more density and concentration than the 1996 did at the same point in its evolution. The 2008.. is a remarkable effort from this great estate.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Apr-2009
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 3cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Tariq Khan - Wine Advisor