Chateau Margaux 2011

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2011 Chateau Margaux is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. It was quite a warm vintage and the earliest harvest since 1893, starting on the 5th of September, with very small, concentrated berries. "Like a young version of the 1995, it needed time for the tannins to soften," commented winemaker Philippe Bascaules. It has a deep garnet color and shoots out of the glass with notes of plum preserves, blackcurrant pastilles, and boysenberry preserves, leading to hints of black tea, star anise, clove oil, and cardamom, with a touch of menthol. The medium-bodied palate is packed with layers of evocative black and red berry preserves, supported by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: 95 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Blending 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, along with equal parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the wine is ruby in color. With delicate, complicated scents of violets, mocha, smoke, truffle, blackberry, cassis and an array of spices, the wine is soft, refined and elegant. It’s lacking the volume and darker berries found in the 2010 or 2009. Yet this is a very suave, fresh, pure, cassis-filled Margaux."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Fabulous aromas of flowers with hints of strawberries and currants. Extremely aromatic. This is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a racy finish. It is very finely structured but chewy and austere. I like the tension to this. Try in 2018."

WEINWISSER: 18 RENÈ GABRIEL´S BX TOTAL: "(86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 29 hl/ha) Frisches, tiefes, dichtes, florales, feingliedriges Bouquet, Heidelbeeren, fein Cassis, Edelhölzer, Tabak, Korinthen, fein Pralinen. Ausgewogener, samtener, dichtverwobener Gaumen mit femininer Struktur, viel feinem Tannin, kräftiger Aromatik, sehr langer, feinherber Abgang. Kann noch zulegen. 18/20 2022 - 2040"

WINE SPECTATOR: "This has a restrained core of steeped plum, blackberry and anise, studded with tobacco and roasted cedar notes. The structure is silky but persistent, with an almost-succulent feel through the finish, while warm bergamot, singed cedar, vanilla and sanguine hints define the finish. Discreet today, but shows the balance and precision to unfold slowly with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2030. –JM"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The renowned Chateau Margaux’s 2011 boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, sweet, supple, well-integrated tannins, medium body, and the elegance and nobility expected from a great first-growth. Although it is not as powerful or concentrated as the 2009 or 2010 (no 2011s are), it possesses finesse, elegance, purity and suppleness. The wine is surprisingly approachable already yet should keep for 15-20 years."