Château Margaux, 2024

"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 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."

"A tremendous effort from Margaux in 2024. Fragrant Cabernet notes on the nose, blackcurrant leaf, blackcurrants, cherries, some tobacco touches, dark fruits with aromatic nuances on the nose. Wild flower meadows with ripe cherries and blackcurrants. Glossy and so smooth, incredibly well textured, not demonstrative, this is sleek and like layers of silk on top of each other, a glossy feel and so confident. Blue cherry, cola, crushed blueberries, salty touches, liquorice and dark chocolate - everything balanced. Beautiful, this is just what you expect from Margaux, precision and perfection with a lively acidity and crushed stone chalkiness on the finish. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 13% press wine. 46% grand vin production."

"Representing 46% of the total crop (a little higher than recent years due to higher yields in the best Cabernet blocks), the 2024 Château Margaux contains slightly less Merlot (5%). It has a sophisticated bouquet in the context of the growing season, with black fruit, pressed violet and hints of pencil box that almost lend a Pauillac-like allure. Very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and modest depth. This is clearly a leaner Château Margaux compared to, say, the 2020 or 2022, but it is razor-sharp with superb tension and mineralité. Unapologetically classic in style with modest length, this noble First Growth will benefit from four to five years in bottle."