The 2008 Chateau Margaux is a Bordeaux Blend, comprising 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This wine, produced by Chateau Margaux in the Bordeaux region of France, is distinguished by its elegance and complexity.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a score of 94, praising its "sexy up-front elegant style" and noting its "deep creme de cassis fruit intermixed with spring flowers," along with "very sweet tannins" and "striking minerality and elegance." Parker indicates it will age well for 25-30 years, emphasizing the careful selection process, with only 36% of the production making it into the final blend.
James Suckling, also scoring it 94, highlighted its "amazing perfumes of rose petal, blueberries, and blackberries." He described it as "full but very tight and fresh" with a "lovely length that goes on and on." Suckling recommends at least five years of bottle age for it to fully open up.
David Derby from JJ Buckley noted the wine's classic notes of "violets and lavender," adding that it has a "supple rich dense mid-palate" and a "long pronounced and pleasant" finish, rating it 93.
Wine Enthusiast gave the wine a high score of 96, calling it "a stylish wine" with "definite richness alongside classic elegance." The review mentions its "black plum skin and dark berry character" and suggests it will age well over many decades.
Neal Martin's Wine Journal describes the wine as having a "mineral-rich bouquet with stunning delineation" featuring "blackberry, limestone, and cassis aromas." Martin scores it 93, noting its "great precision" and "seamless finish."
Decanter awarded it an impressive 97, noting its "floral hit right off the first nose" and its "concentrated black fruits balanced by linen-textured tannins." The review highlights the wine's "first suggestions of tobacco and curling woodsmoke" and a "mouthwatering finish."
Jeb Dunnuck also rated it 97, describing it as "one of the wines of the vintage" with a "huge nose of cassis, Asian spices, dried flowers, and incense." He emphasized its "medium to full-bodied" palate and "ripe tannins" with a "great finish," predicting it will drink well for another 20-30 years.
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider scored it 96, noting its "complex perfume of fresh flowers, minerals, cassis, earth, forest floor, cedar, and coffee scents." He described it as "full-bodied and concentrated with round tannins, opulent textures, and ripe fruit," ending with a "long, polished sexy wave of rich textures."
Overall, the 2008 Chateau Margaux is lauded for its elegance, complexity, and aging potential, making it a standout choice among Bordeaux blends.