Alex Lallos, JJ Buckley, April 2012

86% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 2% petit verdot, and 2% cabernet franc. Vines are planted in 82 hectares of gravel soil, with pockets of sand, gravel, and limestone. The average vine age is 36 years. Gorgeous deep ruby color all the way through. The nose is outstanding, with a perfumed array of violet, rose petal, strawberry, blackberry, and cassis. What an elegant yet powerful expression of Margaux here. Exceptionally soft and lush on the palate with layers of pretty red fruits followed by light chocolate and essence of rose petal. Already beautiful at this infant stage, this is a serious wine to behold. This is the most accessible of all the First Growths. Simply exquisite. Enjoy from 2015-2030.

94 -95 points,

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, April 2012

Very elegant and ethereal with ultra-fine tannins and delicate fruit. Full body. I love the floral and aromatic quality to this. Then the tannins kick in. This has more tannins than 2010, according to technical director Paul Pontallier, and others, but you can't tell when tasting it.

93 -95 points,

Neal Martin's Wine Journal, April 2012

Representing 38% of the crop, the Grand Vin is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Harvest began 5th September with the earlier ripening Merlot and finished around the 20th. It has a very strict bouquet, very linear, a no-frills aromatic profile that delivers straight to the senses minerality, with touches of graphite and cedar from the intense Cabernet. The palate is medium-bodied with a more understated entry. The Cabernet is very pure right from the outset with blackberry, graphite, a saline tincture and a touch of black olive. It has a fine framework of taut tannins, beautifully composed as usual, with a finish that unlike 2009 or 2010, is very precise and linear, finishing off dry and abruptly. There is not a great long tail on the finish, but that would not suit this style of Margaux, one that is more masculine in style.

94 -96 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, April 2012

Administrator Paul Pontallier is nearly embarrassed to explain the amazing success of the 2011 Chateau Margaux, a candidate for wine of the vintage. With the harvest occurring between September 5-20, it was the smallest crop in over twenty years as yields were cut significantly by the drought. The berries were tiny. Moreover, analytically, the 2011 has a higher level of concentration as well as tannins than the 2009. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, only 38% of the harvest made it into the grand vin. The wine offers an inky/purple color, barely noticeable sweet tannin, and a beautiful nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers and lead pencil shavings backed up by fresh acids and good overall structure. This medium to full-bodied effort possesses tremendous personality and character. It rivals what they achieved in both 2010 and 2009, which is virtually impossible to contemplate given the quality of those two vintages. 94-96+

92 -95 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, May 2012

Deep purple. Enticing aromas of plum, cassis and minerals. Silky but laid-back, with suave flavors of sweet spices, herbs, smoke and blackcurrant. This firmly built, very pure wine finishes with smooth, ripe tannins and outstanding length. A very successful Chateau Margaux and one of the best wines of the vintage.

94 -96 points,

Wine Enthusiast, April 2012

Dry with a firm core of dark tannins and solid fruits. It is packed with tannins, showing tight acidity as well as a forward black-currant flavor. It dances with the appellation's classic lightness. R.V.

93 -96 points,

Wine Spectator, April 2012

This is succulent, with an almost jammy cassis, plum and black currant profile, though that's quickly harnessed by riveting acidity on the finish, which lets additional floral, bay leaf, tobacco and perfume notes play out. There's very impressive range here already. Tasted non-blind.-J.M.

About Winery

Chateau Margaux's estate dates back to at least  the 12th century. Multiple changes of ownership, including a state seizure during the French revolution, finally left the estate in the hands of the Mentzelopoulus family. Subsequent reinvestment in the vineyards and in the cellar during the late 1970's have been well-rewarded, beginning with the successful 1978 vintage. Today,Corinne Mentzelopoulus oversees the estate's production of its flagship wine as well as its Pavillon Rouge and Pavillon Blanc offerings.

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