Lot 58
CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2001 (1) WA 94
CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2002 (1) WS 92 WA 93
CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2003 (1) WS 95 WA 93

Lot 58 Details
CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2001 (1)
Margaux. 1er Cru Classé
scuffed label.
The 2001 Chateau Margaux continues to evolve in impressive fashion. The nose feels sensual, veering towards red rather than black fruit, with disarming purity and perhaps showing more floral/violet character than the 1999. Both display tremendous precision and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, edgy and tensile with crisp acidity, so fresh and vital in the mouth. Tasted next to the 1996 Château Margaux, it is clear to see that the 2001 is several steps behind, yet the way it fans out with such confidence and brio on the finish assures that this has a prosperous future. Tasted May 2016. Drink: 2018-2045 WA 94
CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2002 (1)
Margaux. 1er Cru Classé
scuffed label.
Performing better from bottle than at any time in cask (which of course is the objective of great winemaking, isn’t it?), this wine reveals a dense ruby/purple color in a style somewhat reminiscent of the 1988 but with more power, concentration, and volume. It has a beautifully elegant nose of black fruits intermixed with truffle, flower, and oak. The wine is medium to full-bodied, dense, with wonderful precision, freshness, and a long, full-bodied finish with impressive levels of concentration. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. WS 92 WA 93
CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 2003 (1)
Margaux. 1er Cru Classé
Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2003 Margaux is fully mature on the nose. There is ample fruit here, well defined for the vintage with blackberry and cedar, this bottle demonstrating a subtle fungal character that I have not discerned in previous bottles. There are faint scents of rust iron piping that develop with further aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannin, offering more fruit than the 2003 Valandraud it was paired with: feisty black pepper and allspice finish with a decent aftertaste. There might be better bottles than this, even so, there is probably not another Margaux that touches this First Growth. I see no harm in broaching bottles now and over the next ten years. Tasted December 2016. Drink: 2017-2027 WS 95 WA 93