Chateau Margaux: The Complete Guide

C hateau Margaux holds an esteemed position in the world of fine wine, as one of the five Bordeaux First Growth properties alongside Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild and Haut Brion. Occupying one of the grandest buildings in the Médoc, the revered wines of Chateau Margaux are famous for their remarkable aromatic qualities.

I had the pleasure of visiting this admired producer in the summer of 2023. There aren’t many views in the wine world that can compete with the iconic façade of Chateau Margaux, proudly standing at the end of a shaded avenue – much like in Fragonard’s striking masterpiece from The Metropolitan Museum in New York. 2011 was drinking beautifully, while we marvelled at the state-of-the-art, ultra-modern underground cellar. It is one of my favourite producers and together with Sotheby’s team we are proud to have brought thousands of bottles to the market over the decades.

In this essential guide we profile Chateau Margaux, helping wine lovers to understand this iconic estate.

Chateau Margaux, located in the heart of a commune with the same name on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, traces its origins back to the 12th century when it was known as La Mothe de Margaux, a modest estate.

By the 16th century its vineyards were planted, and the estate’s viticultural potential became recognised. Under the Lestonnac family in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the estate expanded, laying the foundation for its future greatness.

By the late 18th century, Chateau Margaux was renowned for producing wines of outstanding quality, and its classification as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855 solidified its place among Bordeaux's elite.

A significant turning point came in 1977 when the estate was purchased by André Mentzelopoulos, who immediately invested in revitalizing the vineyards and cellars, restoring Chateau Margaux to its rightful status.

After his untimely death in 1980, his daughter Corinne Mentzelopoulos took over management and in 1983 made the pivotal decision to appoint Paul Pontallier, a young and gifted winemaker. Pontallier would oversee over 30 vintages at Chateau Margaux, producing some of the finest wines in its history and reaffirming its status as one of the world’s most esteemed First Growths.

In the last 20 years, Chateau Margaux has solidified its reputation as one of the premier wineries in the world, consistently earning acclaim for its exceptional vintages.

Under the stewardship of Corinne Mentzelopoulos, the estate has embraced both tradition and innovation, employing a meticulous winemaking style that focuses on terroir expression and precision. Recent vintages have garnered high praise, frequently receiving near-perfect scores from renowned wine critics.

This commitment to quality, coupled with a refined approach that balances elegance and power, has not only reinforced Chateau Margaux's status in the wine world but has also led to its wines achieving some of the highest prices at auction. As a result, Chateau Margaux's offerings have become highly sought after in the secondary market, further solidifying the estate's position as a symbol of excellence and prestige.

The winemaking style at Chateau Margaux reflects a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.

The estate primarily focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the gravelly soils of Margaux, renowned for their excellent drainage and heat retention. These coarse gravel soils, interspersed with sand and clay, provide an ideal environment for the vines, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon to develop its characteristic structure and depth and, as a result, a remarkable ageing potential.

Merlot, which flourishes in the estate’s clay-rich areas, is utilized to add softness and roundness to the blend.

Additionally, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are cultivated for their ability to contribute complexity and aromatic finesse, enriching the overall profile of Chateau Margaux wines

Winemaking at Chateau Margaux emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the natural characteristics of the terroir to shine through. Fermentation takes place in oak vats and aging is carried out in French oak barrels for 18 to 24 months, adding layers of complexity and ensuring the wines' longevity.

Every step, from harvest to bottling, is meticulously controlled to maintain the purity and balance that define Chateau Margaux wines.

In recent years, Chateau Margaux has continued to produce outstanding wines that reflect both tradition and modern winemaking excellence. Below we summarize a selection of the vintages seen at Sotheby's auctions, with tasting notes from our Honorary Chairman Serena Sutcliffe MW. These notes capture the essence of Chateau Margaux wines and were included in the auction catalogue descriptions, one of the many benefits offered by Sotheby's to our auction clients.

Chateau Margaux 2014
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. In 2018, a terrific Margaux scent, so identifiable as this great First Growth. Blueberries and a touch of mint on the palate. Very luscious, glossy and intrinsically perfumed all through, with perfect structure. Totally on its own top form.

Chateau Margaux 2015
Cabernet Sauvignon 87%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Petit Verdot 2%. In 2019, a crowning achievement for the late, great Paul Pontallier who saw its birth. Ineffable fragrance on the nose, complex and layered on the palate. Rich and full of glycerol and style, the obvious result of wonderfully ripe grapes. Landmark Margaux.

Chateau Margaux 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Merlot 2%, Petit Verdot 1%. Only 28% of the crop made it into the grand vin. In 2021, this has taken on great weight since the en primeur tastings. The huge fruit is there, statuesque. It really fills the mouth and needs time to develop all its layers, which are mega refined, as one would expect at Margaux. The comparison with the 2015 is fascinating and no one should miss it!

Chateau Margaux 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon 90%, Merlot 7%, Cabernet Franc 2%, Petit Verdot 1%. In 2023, a simply marvellous nose, so utterly fresh, complete, noble and.....totally winning. On the palate, so juicy right to the end - one is crunching exemplary fruit. Lasts for ever in the mouth. Top, top, top quality and very exciting indeed.

Chateau Margaux is renowned primarily for its exceptional red wines, but it also produces a highly regarded white wine known as Pavillon Blanc. It is predominantly made from Sauvignon Blanc, complemented by a small percentage of Sémillon, which contributes to its complexity and richness. Pavillon Blanc is celebrated for its vibrant acidity, aromatic intensity, and purity of fruit, often exhibiting notes of citrus, stone fruit, and floral nuances.

The wine's exceptional ageing potential and distinctive minerality reflect the unique terroir of the estate, characterised by well-draining gravel soils.

Over the years, Pavillon Blanc has garnered acclaim from wine critics, consistently earning high scores and solidifying its status as one of the top white wines from Bordeaux. Sotheby's has sold hundreds of bottles of Pavillon Blanc across a range of vintages, making us the perfect source for those wanting to add Chateau Margaux's acclaimed white wine to their collection.

Sotheby's is on hand to support your next Chateau Margaux purchase or consignment. Having sold thousands of bottles of this legendary wine over the decades, Sotheby's is highly experienced in bringing Chateau Margaux to market, always with assured provenance. Whether new to wine auctions or a longstanding oenophile, to partner with Sotheby's is to be part of a welcoming global community of wine collectors and enthusiasts.

• Browse Chateau Margaux available for bidding
• Explore upcoming wine auctions across the globe
• Speak to our specialists about consigning your Chateau Margaux vintages, for advice on live lots, or to explore private sales opportunities
• Research your wine investment using our extensive sale archive 
• Discover Chateau Margaux wines available for immediate purchase through our New York and Hong Kong retail sites

Trust our worldwide network of leading Chateau Margaux wine specialists from a globally renowned auction house with a 280-year history.

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