2013 Margaux
By Chateau Margaux
2013 Margaux from Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux
Within the hallowed halls of Bordeaux's elite wine establishments, the vintage narratives often intertwine with whispers of climatic adversity and vinous triumph. The 2013 vintage of the esteemed Margaux from Château Margaux encapsulates precisely this dramatic tale. Despite facing one of the more challenging years for Bordeaux in recent memory, marked by unpredictable weather and a late harvest, the resilient winemakers carved out a composition worthy of contemplation and investment.
Navigating Nature's Caprices: A Vintage Defined
The 2013 vintage faced an uphill battle, presented with a cool spring and a physically demanding summer. It is widely acknowledged that harnessing the true expression of terroir amidst such conditions demands exceptional winemaking prowess. Château Margaux rose admirably to this test. The Grand Vin they crafted presents as a testament to their deep understanding of the intricate ballet between viticulture and nature's whims.
An Artistic Assemblage: The Ethereal Elegance of 2013
The 2013 Margaux is a spectacle of subtlety – it invites the palate with a lighter touch than its predecessors, revealing layers of red berry fruits enshrined by notes that whisper of violets and a faint hint of cigar box. Tannins are present yet finely etched, offering structure without overshadowing the fruit's purity. In this wine, one finds proof that even in less celebrated vintages, meticulous care and selection can yield a symphony in a glass.
The astute investor may observe rightly that such years can sometimes offer unheralded opportunities; to overlook them would be to miss nuances discovered only by the discerning. This sense of rarity adds a compelling chapter to any investor's collection, augmented by the fact that lower yields invariably mean fewer bottles are available.
A wine that both challenges and rewards its admirers, the 2013 Margaux from Château Margaux is an ode to the strength and artistry of its makers—the dedicated vignerons who dance with unpredictability to create moments bottled against all odds.
A Connoisseur’s Note on Investment Potential
In summing up this unique narrative, I find the 2013 Margaux to be a testament to what defines remarkable winemaking: elegance in adversity. Its narrative is woven into its taste, making it both an intriguing collector’s gem as well as an investment with potential promise for evolution and admiration over time.
Current market price
$6,770.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
337.5
Scores and tasting notes
The Chateau Margaux is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with no Merlot this year due to coulure and was picked between 30 September and 11 October. It represents 38% of the total harvest. It has a very masculine slightly earthy bouquet, a little more introverted than previous vintages, opening with time to reveal its trademark dried violet aromas. The palate is medium-bodied, silky smooth on the entry. There is not a huge weight in the mouth but it glides or rather flows nicely. It is a seductive Margaux, not a long-term wine for the estate but a success considering the vintage. Tasted April 2014.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - Wine Journal
The 2013 Château Margaux has an attractive bouquet that compared to fellow recent vintages appears earthy in style (as it appeared in barrel), offering a mixture of black and red fruit, bay leaf and cedar. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes through strongly - no surprise given that there is 97% of the final blend! The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a pleasing seam of acidity. It is not the greatest Château Margaux that the late Paul Pontallier ever made, but it is commendable for the vintage and there is a sense of harmony and composure towards the finish with hints of black pepper and mint lingering on the aftertaste. Enjoy this over the next 15 years, though I am not sure it has the substance to warrant maturation for a longer period.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 October 2016