This wine is smooth, ripe with fine tannins and red plum and black-currant fruits that are soft and gentle. Acidity dominates at this stage, supported by the tannins. It brings out the fruit and freshness of the year while also keeping some structure from the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink from 2025. — R.V.

A firm and tight Margaux with structure and elegance. Full bodied and tight. Lovely silky tannins and layers of texture and flavor. Currant and chocolate undertones. 94% cabernet sauvignon, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot. Drink in 2018.

Margaux's signature floral nose is apparant, and this is impressive, has a curl of woodsmoke that really draws you in. Juicy redcurrant and raspberry fruit, balanced, mandarin peel, pomegranate, slate, a tightrope walk of minerality and creamy fruits. Right up there among the best of the vintage. 80% new oak instead of the usual 100%. No Merlot in the blend for the first time, because the two plots that normally go into the 1st wine were not up to their usual standard and so were used in Pavillon Rouge.

Medium garnet in color, the 2013 Chateau Margaux offers notions of unsmoked cigars, dusty soil, and potpourri over a core of blackcurrant pastilles and spice cake. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled and refreshing, with loads of soft-spoken earthy layers, finishing spicy.

The 2013 Chateau 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

This is velvety and suave, with alluring fresh plum, sleek cassis and warmed raspberry coulis flavors that are nicely melded together, picking up rooibos tea, singed sandalwood and mineral accents through the lovely finish. Refined and approachable already, but has enough range and length for cellaring. A wine of style. Best from 2017 through 2025. – JM