The renowned Chateau Margaux's 2011 boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, sweet, supple, well-integrated tannins, medium body, and the elegance and nobility expected from a great first-growth. Although it is not as powerful or concentrated as the 2009 or 2010 (no 2011s are), it possesses finesse, elegance, purity and suppleness. The wine is surprisingly approachable already yet should keep for 15-20 years.
The 2011 Château Margaux has a more open-knit bouquet with brambly red fruit than its peers with notes of sage, leather and tobacco, perhaps a little more animally than its peers? The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins on the entry, plenty of tobacco-stained black fruit, pencil box and white pepper, fanning out with confidence on the finish that has just a little dryness. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. 2022 - 2045
Fabulous aromas of flowers with hints of strawberries and currants. Extremely aromatic. This is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a racy finish. It is very finely structured but chewy and austere. I like the tension to this. Try in 2018.
Since the early 1980's Margaux has produced many excellent vintages under the assured direction of Paul Pontallier. It is always impressive, whilst remaining fine and elegant. Margaux is certainly the most stylish and sophisticated of the First Growths. Quality is maintained here by a rigorous selection process and since 2009 there has been a third wine produced (not yet released) as well as the popular second wine Pavillon Rouge. The 2011 is made from a very low yield of 29hl/ha, which is the smallest here for 20 years. Production is down by 33%. Paul Pontalier states that this is the most concentrated wine that they have ever produced. The final blend of the 2011 is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Only 38% of the crop was selected for the grand vin. Creme de cassis on the nose, with hints of lavendar and anise. Cool, fresh and sophisticated on the palate. Great purity and well-integrated tannins. At this stage it is fairly closed but impressively fine. Very classic Margaux in the style of the 1996 vintage here. This is not an opulent wine but it has great class and precision.
The nose has real charm a lovely mix of fragrances. Black fruits appear to dominate the palate rich ripe giving a supple fleshiness. Behind the richness the red fruit mix refreshes the layers of flavour giving lots of complexity. The concentrated fruit at the back is supported by structured but ripe tannins with the fragrance of the fruit giving charm and elegance.
Margaux was the Left Bank commune that suffered most from the weather in 2011 and not even its most famous château was immune. The classic perfume is there, but the palate is soft and quite forward, even with such a high percentage of Cabernet, with red fruits and a hint of black pastille. The oak is a little intrusive at the moment, but the wine may come together in barrel. 10+ years.
Floral cassis fruit, lovely florality and perfect texture, beautifully harmony of expression above concentrated natural tannins. Drink 2017-2035.
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.
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. Tasted 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.
