Castle Margaux - Margaux 2014

Le Point

17,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Fruits noirs, mûre, myrtille, cerise, bouche onctueuse, droit, frais, très beau fruit, vif en finale. Séveux, long. 

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Margaux opens with a wonderfully aromatic, expressive bouquet. Gracious and medium in body, the 2014 is quite understated. Dark red cherry, plum, herbs, cedar, smoke and tobacco gradually come forward in a super-refined, totally polished wine. Today, the 2014 is holding back quite a bit of its potential, but the style is one of finesse rather than pure power.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

A valentine of dark chocolate and roses melded with the aromatics of licorice, blackberry and cocoa create a complex perfume. The wine is elegant with a refined character, supple tannins and a burst of fresh cassis, cherry and cocoa that builds on the palate. The most striking quality to this wine is the clarity of fruit in the finish. While this vintage lacks the weight and density found in vintages like 2009 and 2010, the length is quite similar. Produced from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.2% alcohol with a pH of 3.68. This represents 36% of the harvest. 95-97 Pts

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Margaux 2014, represents 36% of the year’s total production and is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It has a distinctly floral bouquet, those trademark wilted violet scents soaring from the glass flanked by small dark cherries and a hint of cassis. It gains intensity in the glass but never puts the pedal to the floor. The palate is full-bodied with firm and bold tannins, very good density and presence. No, compared to the top flight vintages from the estate, it is unlikely to become a Château Margaux of compelling precision or finesse. Unusually for 2014 this is a grand vin bestowed with power and dimension. There is still a little tightness here, especially on the Pauillac-like finish, but it will turn into a great if not the greatest Château Margaux.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/20/2015

36% of crop, as usual. No plots disappointed. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Petit Verdot was so good that one young lot almost made it into the first wine. 
Bright, glowing crimson. Very subtle, quite evolved nose. Far from intense but perfumed and relatively light. Fresher than the Pavillon Rouge. The acidity and tannin are more obvious in this than in the Pavillon Rouge. Quite transparent. Just a step up from the second wine but not a standout. Beautiful texture. Very refined and slow to open out. Recalls the build of a top red bordeaux from the 1960s and 1970s. 

Asian Palate

96 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Nose is quite closed now but the concentration is there and the palate is velvety with firm, refined tannins. Notes of dark plum, blackcurrant and savory herbs. There is good concentration with fantastic precision. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and only 5% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A great vintage for Margaux.

Decanter.com

18,75 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

Striking black fruits from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, yet restrained – even severe – with less charm and more firmness; the opposite of showy. With great natural density and tannins that do not overwhelm, this is a classical Château Margaux that will need time to fully open up. Drink: 2022-2045 (95+)

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

This is a very, very muscular and toned Margaux with currants, firm tannins and stones. Full and chewy yet polished and intense. Bright acidity yet a strong and flexed style.

timatkin.com

96 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

90 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot. Etwas mehr als ein Drittel der Ernte wurden als Grand Vin selektioniert: 36 %. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Das Bouquet wirkt burgundisch, weniger massiv wie der Pavillon, beginnt mit Kirschnoten, Cassis und zeigt dabei eine leicht milchige Textur in der Nase, da findet man auch einen Hauch Kokos im zweiten Ansatz. Im Gaumen seidig, elegant und sehr lang. Man hat das Gefühl, dass alles, was irgendwie eine leicht kühle Ausstrahlung hatte, vom Erntetopf rigoros in den Pavillon deklassiert wurde und man für den Château Margaux die femininst-mögliche Variante wählte. Trotzdem hat dieser Wein viel Aromatik und vor allem eine unglaubliche Länge, weil der Körper von Gaumenbeginn bis zum Schluss einen dunkelroten Faden durch zieht. Präzise und klar und von der Balance her gesehen, sehr lagerfähig. Paul Pontallier selbst, stapelt da eher tief, wenn er diesen Jahrgang in die Geschichte von Margaux einreiht. Mir hat dieser wunderschöne Margaux 2014 unglaublich gut gefallen. 19/20 2023 – 2055

Wine Enthusiast

96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

95–97. Barrel Sample. Each year, the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend creeps up—this year it's 90%. Despite the increase, the very fine, elegant tannins seem suspended in the wine. Ample acidity supports the black currant fruitiness, with a firm, impressive structure that promises good aging potential.

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

A light savory cassis bush hint marks the Petit Verdot in this blend, but this is quickly consumed by the Cabernet
Sauvignon, with a core of well-endowed cassis and plum fruit harnessed by very long, supple tannins. Gorgeous alder,
lilac and iron notes begin to emerge on the finish, though this is still very primal. Sublime in feel, this offers a caressing
power. A beauty in the making.