Château Margaux 1999

Margaux

First growth of Médoc

France - - Red wine

75 cl - 12.5% vol.

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Press review

Château - Commentaire # web (12/1/2008) : FFFFFF

After an early flowering, the summer was hot and sunny, with isolated rainy spells: optimal conditions to the ripening of the grapes, but also to the onset of downy mildew. From 20th August to 10th September, the very dry weather brought the ripening and the concentration of the grapes to exceptional levels; then heavy rains came until the end of September. Practically the same scenario as in 1998 was produced in 1999: an exceptional spell of fine weather during August, followed by a beginning of September which took the grapes to near-perfect ripeness levels, then heavy rain at the end of September which, by a few days, prevented the grapes from reaching the ripeness levels of great vintages and, like in 1998, caused a slight dilution. That was the case in 1999. In both cases, the wines were "almost" great vintages. It is clear that a period of fine weather in August is of crucial importance, whereas rain, even heavy rain, during the harvest is not necessarily a handicap. Château Margaux 1999 shows great finesse, intensity and aromatic complexity. The nose has both great purity and great classicism. On the palate, it has firstly delicacy and suppleness, then fatness and density, before finishing with great length, displaying the real power of the wine.

Falstaff # 6/2003 (11/1/2003) : 94

Jean-Marc Quarin (10/1/2005) : 93 (17,25)

Lovely dark red color. Fine nose evoking coffee and fruit. Fresh, subtle touch. In the mouth, the wine melts like candy! Flavorful finish with very fine tannin grain. Very pleasant smoothness. Superb wine to drink now.

Parker # 140 (4/30/2002) : 94 Maturity: -2022

The sexy, dark plum/purple-colored 1999 Margaux is already revealing complex aromatics. Surprisingly charming and round, it is reminiscent of a vintage such as 1985. Although neither a blockbuster nor a heavyweight, it grows in the mouth revealing tremendous length as well as purity. Administrator Paul Pontallier prefers it to the more austere 1998, as I do. An archetypical Château Margaux of richness, finesse, balance, and symmetry, it can be drunk young, but promises to age nicely for two decades.

Revue du Vin de France (9/2/2002) : 5/5

La robe se pare d'un grenat légèrement évolué. Le nez se développe magnifiquement dans un registre floral/épicé d'une finesse irrésistible. Souple, délié, le corps cache la concentration en tannins, dans une saveur raffinée et croquante de petits fruits rouges qui distingue le cru dans son appellation. Un vin remarquablement vinifié.

The Wine Doctor # web (11/1/2006) : 16,5+/20

Quite a deep colour at the core here, leading out to a pink-red rim. Quite fine on the nose, well defined black fruit, with subtle gravelly perfume and iodine, and even a little roasted herb. It flatters with a rich entry but thins out a little on the midpalate; it maintains a good texture but the structure is a little naked. It has a classic body of tannin, and is very well composed, but lacks the charm that many of the other wines demonstrate. Nevertheless, it has very good potential, but needs a decade-plus in the cellar.

Wine Spectator (3/31/2002) : 92

A tight and silky red, with lots to offer?currant, tobacco and cherry character, medium to full body, fine tannins and a long, long finish. Just needs time. Best after 2006.

The property in brief

1st classified growth in 1855. The château, already known in the 12th century under the name La Mothe de Margaux, started only to resemble to what it is today when the Lestonnac family took it over in 1572 and undertook important restructurations. By the end of the 17th century, Château Margaux already covered 265 hectares (654 acres). At the beginning of the 18th century the estate manager Berlon was the first to vinify red grapes and white grapes separately and understood the importance of terroir. In 1810, a Basque, Bertrand Douat, Marquis de la Colonilla, owner since 1801, built the neo-palladian style residence of Margaux and the cellars which we still admire today. After several successions of owners, the Ginestet family bought the chateau in 1950 after being obliged by the serious economic crises to sell it in 1977 to André Mentzelopoulos, a Greek at the head of the grocery shops Félix Potin. André Mentzelopoulos sensed the opportunity and invested massively without expecting any immediate return in a market that was still depressed and a few years away from the new golden age for Bordeaux at the end of the 20th century. He made spectacular moves: in the vineyard, where better drainage was introduced and new plantations made; in the cellars, under the supervision of the oenologist Emile Peynaud, Pavillon Rouge was reintroduced with a considerable increase in selection; new oak barrels were used to age the wine, plans were drawn up for the first great cellar in the region to be built underground (a technical feat), and Pavillon Blanc was redefined. In the château and its outbuildings, under the supervision of the inspectors for Historic Monuments (Margaux is a classified monument), the reconstitution of the architectural heritage and the renovation of the interior were carried out. All of this was done with deep respect for the existing structures and with the determined aim of allowing the terroir to express its fabulous qualities. Since his death in 1980, his daughter Corinne Mentzelopoulos has been managing the estate and pursuing the investment program of her father.