Château Margaux en primeur history: 2016 – 2020

Château Margaux 2020 was named Jane Anson’s ‘Left Bank wine of the vintage’ in her recent en primeur report, scoring an almost-perfect 99 points.

It was released this week at £5,196 per 12-bottle case in bond.

We’ve brought together Anson’s Margaux en primeur scores, as well as in-bottle ratings, on the famous estate’s grands vins back to the 2016 vintage.

You’ll also find release price information.

Château Margaux en primeur scores

Château Margaux 2020: 99 points

Château Margaux 2019: 98 points

Château Margaux 2018:  98 points (Latest in-bottle score: 98)

Château Margaux 2017:  96 points (Latest in-bottle score: 96)

Château Margaux 2016: 97 points (Latest in-bottle score: 98)

These scores above also show how ratings can nudge up, or down in some cases, between the en primeur barrel sample tastings and the in-bottle reviews that normally take place around 18 months later.

Of the 2020 barrel sample, Anson noted; ‘A brilliant Margaux; one that takes a sigh and then releases the huge floral, eucalyptus and crushed mint whoosh that comes in waves though the palate.’

Of the recent wines tasted in bottle Anson gave 98 points to both the 2016 and the 2018 wines.

‘This is a serious Margaux… it has the expansive aromatic structure of Margaux, the floral and mineral aspects clear, as is the tension that lifts the palate up and out. It’s reminiscent of the 2005, though with less evident tannins,’ she said of the 2016.

The 2018 was described in her November 2020 review as ‘extremely powerful, with high tannin levels that are beautifully velvety and a real presence that is going to need a good 15 years before it softens.’

Château Margaux en primeur prices: Recent vintages

Data: Jane Anson’s latest rating of the wine, with prices sourced from Liv-ex on Tuesday 22 June.

Château Margaux 2020 (99 points): Ex-Bordeaux €432 per bottle | Ex-London £5,196 (12x 75cl in bond)

Château Margaux 2019 (98): Ex-Bordeaux €330 per bottle | Ex-London £4,200 (12x 75cl in bond) | Current Liv-ex market price: £5,380 ($7,462)

Château Margaux 2018 (98): Ex-Bordeaux €408 | Ex-London £5,112 |

Current Liv-ex market price: £5,570 ($7,726)

Château Margaux 2017 (96): Ex-Bordeaux €348 | Ex-London £4,320 |

Current Liv-ex market price: £3,700 ($5,132)

Château Margaux 2016 (98): Ex-Bordeaux €420 | Ex-London £5,180 |

Current Liv-ex market price: £5,539 ($7683)

See also: Bordeaux wine investment – 20 years of hits and misses

Prices may vary and are published for informational purposes only. This does not constitute investment advice.

Château Margaux wine style

‘The only one of the Five Firsts to have no sister properties elsewhere, no wine merchant business and no other projects to take the focus from this stunning Château,’ wrote Jane Anson in a profile of the Bordeaux first growths last year.

Anson also said that, as a general rule, ‘Margaux excels in vintages in which its Pauillac siblings do not due to its location further south on the Médoc peninsula’.

In terms of the style, she added, ‘It is a Cabernet-dominated wine, and yet it feels so light, graceful and nuanced that it is often called the Musigny of Bordeaux, famed for its perfume that is only rivalled by that of Haut-Brion.’

Château Margaux at a glance

• Vineyards: Reds – around 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% split between Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
• Owner: Corinne Mentzelopoulos, with her daughter, Alexandra, and son, Alexis, represent the second and third generations of the family, in place since 1977.
• Winemaking: Paul Pontallier, who first joined Margaux in 1983, had been the estate’s popular and long-serving MD until his death in 2016. Philippe Bascaules, who worked closely with Pontallier for many years, became MD in 2017. Sébastien Verne is estate director, with winemaking consultant Eric Boissenot also part of the team.

Château Margaux en primeur and in-bottle tasting notes

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