The 2015 Chateau Margaux is a Bordeaux blend comprising 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. This red wine from France's Bordeaux region, specifically Margaux, has garnered significant acclaim from wine critics. It is bottled in a special commemorative bottle honoring late winemaker Paul Pontellier, with the message “Hommage à Paul Pontellier” etched in gold.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine a score of 99, praising its "oh-so-seductive notes of warm blackberries, cassis and black forest cake" and highlighting its "tightly knit and a little reticent" nature at this youthful stage. Lisa Perrotti-Brown notes that the wine will benefit from at least 15 years in the cellar to truly open up.
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider gave the wine a perfect score of 100, describing it as "rich, full-bodied and concentrated, yet light on its feet." Leve emphasizes the wine's "sensuous, textural quality" and its "purity in the fruit that is off the hook," making it an unforgettable experience.
Jeb Dunnuck also rated it 100, calling it "as good a wine as I’ve ever tasted." He notes its "thrilling bouquet of crème de cassis, toasted spice, hints of toasty oak, and cedar wood," and highlights its elegance, depth, richness, and structure. Dunnuck suggests cellaring the wine for at least a decade for optimal enjoyment.
Wine Spectator's J.M. awarded the wine 99 points, lauding its "captivating sandalwood, black tea and mesquite aromas" and a "seamless" structure that promises a haunting finish when the wine reaches full maturity around 2030.
James Suckling described this vintage as "a new legend for Margaux," scoring it 100 points. He noted its "subtle and hidden strength" with aromas of "rose petals, currants, currant leaves, stones and plums," describing the wine as "full-bodied, powerful and muscular."
Wine Enthusiast also rated it 100 points, emphasizing its "wonderful black-currant purity" and "intense, vibrant acidity." The publication highlights its aging potential, recommending it be enjoyed from 2027 onwards.
Neal Martin's Wine Journal commended its "incredibly perfumed bouquet" and "nuanced" character, awarding it 99 points. Martin describes the wine as a "long-term Château Margaux that will give pleasure for many decades."
Jancis Robinson scored the wine 96, noting its "lovely freshness and sophistication" with "lots of fine tannins." Robinson describes it as "very classic claret" and "beautiful."
Decanter gave the wine another perfect score of 100, appreciating its "stunning concentration" and "dense silkiness to the tannins." The review mentioned the wine's "opulence" and "aromatic acrobatics," making it a classic Margaux to savor over the long term.
Lastly, The Wine Independent rated it 98, mentioning its "beautiful warm cassis, black raspberries, and notes of dried mulberries" and its "rich and seductive" palate.
Overall, the 2015 Chateau Margaux is a highly acclaimed wine, noted for its complexity, elegance, and long-term aging potential. With multiple perfect scores, it's a testament to the legacy of Paul Pontellier.