2022 Ch Margaux 1ème Cru, Margaux

Very dark purple color with a ruby edge. So much crushed blackberry and blackcurrant with violets. Exuberant. Full-bodied and very tannic with incredible muscle. This is a thought-provoking wine. The biggest Margaux I have tasted in my career. Seems a little overdone for Margaux. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot and 2% petit verdot.

95-96 points janessuckling.com

A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, 2022 Château Margaux is one of the most powerful wines ever produced at this estate, wafting from the glass with aromas of crème de cassis, dark berries, violets, burning embers, smoked tea and exotic spices. Full-bodied, deep and layered, it's rich, velvety and seamless, with a bright core of fruit and a long, heady finish. With the highest analytical measure of tannins since 2010, and an alcohol level a touch above 14%, this is certainly a larger-scaled Château Margaux, yet at this early stage, everything appears to be kept in check.

96-97+ points WK robertparker.com

Stunning in its density and construction, with a gorgeous balance that starts with red rose aromatics and slides into creamy and intense raspberry, damson, loganberry and cassis fruits. The intense structure of the vintage is on display, here with velvety tannins giving shape and contrast by a push and pull of slate, graphite, cloves, turmeric, cardamom and white pepper. Bitter dark chocolate ending, a character of the year but here delivered with a blast of cooling mint leaf. Philippe Bascaules director, harvest September 8 to 27, 25hl/h yield. 100% new oak, to be monitored carefully over ageing because this is the first time they have seen this level of alcohol in the Cabernet Sauvignon. 40% of the crop is into this 1st wine, one of the highest in years. Harvest September 8 to 27. They are slowly changing the row orientation in the vineyard at Margaux, begun last year but a 50 year project, and introducing more Cabernet Franc through field grafting (wanting to get up to maybe 15% of plantings, currently 5%).

98-100 points janeanson.com

The Grand Vin 2022 Château Margaux checks in as 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc that's pulled from just 40% of the total production. It's a classic Château Margaux with its overriding sense of elegance and purity, yet it's certainly in the style of the vintage with its depth, richness, and concentration. Cassis, blueberries, acacia flowers, and spice all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a seamless, layered mouthfeel, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. The alcohol hit 14.5, and I suspect the pH is relatively high (which is common in the vintage), yet this remains pure, balanced, and is absolutely show-stopping stuff.

97-99 points jebdunnuck.com

The 2022 Chateau Margaux, composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It shoots from the glass with an initial firework display of redcurrant jelly, blackberry pie, and fresh, juicy blackcurrants, followed by an array of iron ore, lilacs, black licorice, and sandalwood-inspired scents, plus a hint of wood smoke. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with rich, concentrated, muscular black and red fruits, supported by exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and fragrant. This is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous effort that should be immortal. This represents 40% of the crop. "It's been a long time since this much has made it into the First Wine!" commented winemaker Phillipe Bascaules. The pH is 3.61.

“For us, it was an easy year,” said Château Margaux’s estate director, Philippe Bascaules. “We had a wet June, then it was dry until mid-August, when we had 25 mm of rain. We picked between the 8th and the 27th of September. We could see the sugars were going up, so we discussed the situation with the team. We had to consider if we wanted to make and expression of the vintage or the place. I remember having this same discussion with Paul Pontallier about the 2005 Pavillon Rouge. The alcohol then was 14%. Now, we let nature decide what will be the concentration of sugar. So, our sugars are a little high this year. The Cabernet Sauvignon reached 14.5%. This is the first time the Cabernet reached this level, but it also has high tannins, and they’re ripe. We finished harvest with yields at 25 hl/ha. This helps explain the concentration and level of ripeness. In the end, Château Margaux is 40% of production and Pavillon Rouge is 35%. There is more Petit Verdot than usual in the Pavillon Rouge because none made the cut for Margaux. It's just because the concentration of Margaux was enough without the Petit Verdot, but the Petit Verdot is very good. This is probably one of the darkest wines we have made. We were worried that the wine would taste over-ripe, like it was from someplace else, but it doesn't.”

97-99 points LPB thewineindependent.com

(Read between September 8th and September 27th. The Grand Vin represents 40% of the harvest. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% CF, pH 3.61, 14.6% alcohol) Very expressive, floral, many violet flowers and wonderful Cassis fruit, stony undertones. Approachable on the palate, soft, then grabs, has a vertical effect, shows strength and breed, the tannins are present but hardly noticeable, the wine is extraordinarily powerful and concentrated for Château Margaux, but there is a pleasant freshness and a lot of minerality in play . In the finish with great aromatic potential, lots of length and a wonderful saline finish. A muscular yet poised Margaux built for long aging. 

97-99 points AvV vvwine.ch

A stunning Margaux in 2022 with a bright and vibrant core, deep and persistent, alive and bright with layers of silky but firm tannins that give a gentle grip, powerful and concentrated black fruit, with a clearly defined structure that supports and doesn't overwhelm. Despite the power this has a delicacy which I love, so pure and clearly charming. Opulent yet racy, really walking the line between heft and sleekness. The acidity really lifts the expression with spiced liquorice and wet stone nuances while staying cool and fresh. Generous, stylish, punchy and polished. An incredibly complex wine that really works. 3.6pH. 88IPT. 18% press wine. Ageing 18-20 months, 100% new oak. No Petit Verdot in the blend. Highest alcohol and tannin level for the grand vin.

98 points GH decanter.com