2024 Ch Marquis de Terme 4eme Cru, Margaux

DUE OCT/NOV 2027

Slim and supple, savoury blue fruits, shot through with campfire and liquorice, crayon and roses, well handled in the vintage. Good Margaux typicity and has ageing ability in the mid term. Harvest 25 September to 4 October. 40% new oak. Now including the vines from Château Marojallia, but also reducing the percentage of 1st wine overall, so really focusing on the best plots.

92 points janeanson.com

The 2024 Marquis de Terme from Margaux is a sleek, modern-styled wine that shows polish and charm, though it might not be the most thrilling in a vintage where the best wines lean into energy and structure. This is a château that often delivers pleasure over power, and in 2024, that holds true.

Located in the heart of Margaux, Marquis de Terme has been quietly improving its game over the past decade. Michel Rolland consults here, and the house style leans toward ripe fruit, supple tannins and a touch of new oak sheen. The vineyard sits on gravelly soils ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, which usually dominates the blend, backed up by Merlot and small parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

The 2024 opens with a perfume of dark cherries, blueberry compote, vanilla pod and a hint of graphite. There’s a soft floral lift, but it’s the fruit that leads. The palate is medium to full-bodied, rounded, with ripe tannins and a smooth texture. It doesn’t quite have the mineral drive or tension of the top Margaux estates in 2024, but it’s well-balanced and immediately appealing. The oak is present but nicely integrated at this stage, adding chocolate and spice without overwhelming the fruit.

This is a wine that’s likely to hit its stride earlier than some of its more structured neighbours. It’s not a grand, age-defying Margaux, but it’s honest, polished and crowd-pleasing.

Food pairing: roast chicken with thyme and pan juices, beef daube, or grilled portobello mushrooms with balsamic glaze. A good match for milder hard cheeses like Cantal or Tomme de Savoie.

Cellar potential: best from 2028 through 2040. It will evolve gracefully but probably not transform dramatically.