92-94 / 100 Robert Parker This quintessentially finesse-styled Margaux exhibits notes of pure black currants, spring flowers, graphite and forest floor. With supple tannins and medium body, this pretty, stylish effort reminds me of the 2001 or perhaps a modern day, improved version of their 1979. The lovely 2012 should be drinkable in 4-5 years and last for two decades.
Only about one-third of the total production made it into the 2012 Chateau Margaux, which is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Like many Medoc first-growths in this vintage, this estate's aim was to make an elegant, supple-styled 2012 that emphasized the fruit, charm and delicacy of this terroir rather than pushing extraction and going for a powerhouse, which would have been difficult to produce in a vintage like 2012. The natural alcohol is 13%. Wine Advocate #206 Apr 2013
93-96 / 100 Wine Spectator Shows a tight nose, but manages to convey pure, fresh notes of red fruit and violet. Almost sleek, with fine-grained tannins carrying the red currant paste and iron accents. The plum skin-tinged finish sings, displaying remarkable integration already. A very impressive showing today. http://www.winespectator.com/wine/detail/source/search/not..
18 / 20 Jancis Robinson 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Chaptalised a little bit in 2012 – the first time for ages. Much less sugar than in the 1980s. Final alcohol is 13%. Paul Pontallier commented: Press wine is the single most important element, more than 17% in 2012. Blind you can't tell the press wine. Our greatest advance in winemaking. Great finesse. But perhaps a little minor key. Denser, analytically, than in 2010, 2005.
Heady and very much in the same style as the Pavillon but a bit more emphatic. Grand – not in a monumental sense because there is nothing big about this. Very discreet and I think the two wines are closer together than usual. http://www.jancisrobinson.com/tastings/search?perpage=20&r..
