2010 Château Margaux

The 2021 growing season at Château Palmer was marked by spring frosts, a cool and wet summer, and a late harvest. These conditions led to lower yields and required meticulous vineyard management and careful grape selection. The resulting Alter Ego 2021 reflects the vintage's freshness and the estate's commitment to quality, producing a wine of elegance and precision rather than power. Photo Credit: Olivier Metzger for Château Palmer

The 2009 growing season at Chateau Margaux was characterized by near-perfect conditions, with a warm, dry summer and ideal weather during harvest. These factors led to optimal ripeness in both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, resulting in grapes with exceptional concentration and balance. The 2009 Margaux captures the essence of this outstanding vintage, showcasing both power and elegance in perfect harmony.

The 2012 growing season at Chateau Margaux was marked by variable weather conditions, including a cool and wet spring followed by a hot and dry summer. Despite these challenges, careful vineyard management and selective harvesting resulted in grapes of good quality. The 2012 Margaux reflects the vintage's character, showcasing the estate's signature elegance and purity of fruit.

The 2015 growing season at Chateau Margaux saw ideal conditions, with a warm, dry summer followed by perfect weather during harvest. These factors led to optimal ripeness in both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, resulting in grapes of exceptional quality. The 2015 Margaux captures the essence of this stellar vintage, showcasing both power and elegance in perfect harmony.

The 2017 growing season at Chateau Margaux was marked by severe spring frosts, which significantly reduced yields across Bordeaux. However, the estate's unique terroir and meticulous vineyard management helped mitigate the impact, resulting in a small but high-quality harvest. The 2017 Margaux reflects the vintage's freshness and purity, while maintaining the depth and complexity for which the chateau is renowned.

The 2020 growing season at Chateau Margaux saw a mix of challenges and favorable conditions, with a warm, dry summer followed by ideal weather during harvest. Despite the year's global difficulties, the estate's careful management and ideal terroir produced grapes of exceptional quality. The 2020 Margaux showcases the vintage's hallmark freshness and concentration, with the chateau's signature elegance and complexity.

The 2020 growing season at Chateau Palmer saw a mix of challenges and favorable conditions, with a warm, dry summer followed by ideal weather during harvest. Despite the year's global difficulties, the estate's biodynamic practices and ideal terroir produced grapes of exceptional quality. The 2020 Palmer showcases the vintage's hallmark freshness and concentration, with the chateau's signature elegance and complexity.

The 2021 growing season at Chateau Palmer was marked by significant challenges, including spring frost and summer rains. However, the estate's commitment to biodynamic viticulture and meticulous vineyard management helped mitigate these difficulties. The resulting 2021 Palmer reflects the vintage's freshness and elegance, showcasing the chateau's ability to produce refined wines even in testing years.

At Château Margaux, the 2011 growing season was marked by unusual weather patterns, including an exceptionally hot and dry spring followed by a cool, wet July. The estate's well-draining gravel soils and careful canopy management helped mitigate these challenges, while an Indian summer in September allowed for steady ripening of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The resulting harvest yielded wines of classical proportions, though with lower alcohol levels than the preceding vintages.

The 2018 season at Château Margaux began challenging with heavy rainfall through spring, but the estate's excellent drainage and biodynamic practices proved crucial. Perfect summer conditions followed by an ideal autumn created optimal ripening conditions, while the estate's skilled team carefully managed the abundant sunshine to prevent over-ripeness. The result was perfectly ripened grapes with exceptional concentration and freshness.

At Château Margaux, the 2019 growing season benefited from near-perfect conditions, with warm days and cool nights during the crucial ripening period. The estate's ancient vines showed remarkable resilience during the summer heat spikes, while September's ideal conditions allowed for unhurried harvest decisions. These conditions resulted in grapes with exceptional concentration while maintaining freshness and aromatic complexity.

The 2021 season at Château Margaux required exceptional vigilance, facing spring frost challenges and maintaining careful disease pressure management throughout the growing season. The estate's experienced team implemented precise canopy management and adapted picking dates to each plot, while the moderate summer temperatures allowed for slow, steady ripening. These efforts resulted in wines of classical proportions with lower alcohol levels and excellent freshness.

At Château Palmer, the 2019 growing season benefited from optimal conditions, with early flowering followed by a warm, dry summer that tested the estate's biodynamically-farmed vines. The deep gravel soils and mature root systems proved crucial during heat spikes, while cooling nights in September preserved freshness and aromatic complexity. The result was small, concentrated berries with perfect phenolic ripeness and unprecedented balance.

Spring rain in Margaux challenged Palmer's biodynamic vineyards, yet the estate's dedication to this practice helped vines recover through intense summer heat. The château's deep gravel soils and proximity to the Gironde provided crucial balance during the warm, dry finish to the growing season. The wine captures both power and precision, showing concentrated dark fruits and the violet-tinged complexity distinctive to Palmer's terroir.

Late summer warmth proved crucial after challenging conditions, while the estate's gravel slopes provided perfect drainage during autumn rains. Strict selection and low yields concentrated the final blend, particularly in the historic plateau parcels. The wine displays violet-laced black fruits, spice, and gravelly minerals with the silken texture typical of this Margaux thoroughbred.

Early September rains tested Palmer's team, forcing precise plot-by-plot harvesting decisions across the estate's patchwork of gravel and clay parcels. The biodynamic practices already in early adoption helped maintain vine health through difficult conditions. The final blend shows Palmer's characteristic violet aromatics and Margaux elegance, albeit with a leaner profile typical of this challenging vintage.

Early summer warmth in Margaux drove swift ripening across Palmer's biodynamic vineyard sites. The second wine benefited from precise picking decisions and the estate's complex gravel-clay soils during intense heat. The wine captures the vintage's solar profile while maintaining the violet-tinged aromatics distinctive to Palmer's terroir.

The estate's mix of gravel and clay soils managed water stress perfectly through late season temperature shifts. Margaux's strategic position captured crucial October warmth, achieving optimal Cabernet Sauvignon ripeness. The wine displays violet aromatics, precise dark fruits, and the silken texture characteristic of this First Growth's finest years.

Heavy September rains challenged harvest timing across Margaux, demanding strict selection for the château's second wine. The estate's well-draining gravel soils proved crucial in maintaining fruit quality through difficult conditions. The wine reflects both the vintage's challenges and the property's refined approach, showing mature tertiary notes, dried red fruits, and subtle tobacco.

Moderate summer temperatures allowed gradual ripening, while Palmer's clay-gravel soils provided crucial balance for both Merlot and Cabernet. September's mild conditions proved ideal for the estate's old vines across its prime plateau parcels. The wine shows the vintage's classical restraint through refined violet notes and crushed rock minerality, capturing Palmer's signature elegance in a cooler year.

Late season rains challenged much of Bordeaux, though Margaux's deep gravel-clay soils provided crucial drainage during the difficult harvest. The château's strict selection focused on the best Cabernet Sauvignon parcels from the plateau. The wine shows remarkable elegance with violet and graphite notes that reflect both the challenging vintage and the First Growth's rigorous standards.

The estate's mix of gravel and clay soils managed water stress perfectly through late season temperature shifts. Margaux's strategic position captured crucial October warmth, achieving optimal Cabernet Sauvignon ripeness. The wine displays violet aromatics, precise dark fruits, and the silken texture characteristic of this First Growth's finest years.

Cool spring temperatures and uneven summer weather required strict selection in the vineyard, but the estate's deep clay-gravel soils maintained steady ripening through the challenges. October's dry, sunny conditions proved crucial for the Cabernet Sauvignon parcels on the plateau. The final wine reveals violet florals, black fruit precision, and the ethereal structure that marks Margaux's first growth status.

A warm spring and consistently sunny summer brought perfect ripening conditions to Palmer in 2000, with harvest conducted under clear September skies. The estate's distinctive gravel-clay soils yielded concentrated cassis and blackberry notes, intertwined with violet, truffle, and exotic spice. The wine demonstrates profound depth while maintaining Palmer's hallmark silky texture and refined character.

Perfect flowering conditions and a sun-drenched summer created ideal ripening across Margaux's historic plateau, while September's warmth brought the fruit to sublime maturity. This flawless growing season culminated in perfectly balanced fruit that earned a rare 100-point score across the tasing experts. The wine displays profound depth with layers of black fruits and violets, underpinned by the estate's signature elegance and refinement.

The cold spring and intense summer heat waves created ideal concentration at Palmer in 1995, with harvest completed under dry September conditions. The estate's unique gravel-clay terroir and strict selection delivered profound violet, black cherry, and truffle notes woven with Oriental spices. The wine displays remarkable finesse, showcasing the signature Palmer balance between power and elegance.

Spring rains challenged early vine development on Margaux's gravelly slopes, yet warm August days helped rescue ripening. The estate's strategic late harvest and rigorous selection process preserved quality despite difficult conditions. The final blend shows surprising grace with notes of red fruits and violets, though lighter in structure than great vintages.

Cool, even summer temperatures allowed gradual ripening across Margaux's gravelly soils. The second wine's rigorous selection process benefited from ideal September harvest conditions. The wine displays Margaux elegance with red fruits, violet, and subtle spice notes carried by fresh acidity.

The estate's decade-long biodynamic practices proved vital after severe April frost reduced yields by 50%, helping surviving vines find natural balance. Palmer's clay-gravel plateau provided steady water regulation through summer's moderate warmth. The early September harvest delivered concentrated fruit with remarkable freshness, showing Palmer's classic violet perfume and Margaux elegance despite the challenging year.

The First Growth's deep gravel soils provided excellent drainage during June rains while maintaining essential moisture through the arid summer months. Maritime influences moderated the late season heat, allowing for precise harvest timing of each parcel on the plateau. The grand vin displays the vintage's solar intensity through concentrated dark fruits, while retaining Margaux's characteristic violet perfume and ethereal texture.

A moderate summer preserved freshness, while the estate's clay-gravel soils helped maintain balance through periods of rain. September's variable conditions demanded precise selection for the final blend. The wine reflects the vintage's lighter structure through refined red fruits and floral notes, showing the Second Wine's ability to capture the estate's signature even in challenging years.

The warm vintage allowed Palmer's second wine to benefit from the same precise viticulture and early picking decisions as the grand vin. Their gravel-rich soils provided ideal drainage while maintaining crucial water reserves through summer heat. Dark fruits and violets define this wine, showing both the vintage's ripeness and Palmer's signature elegance at the second wine level.

A warm and exceptional 1990 vintage delivered ripe, concentrated wines with excellent structure. Giscours’ gravel terroir added finesse and complexity to this refined Margaux.

A warm and dry vintage brought concentrated, ripe wines to Margaux. Château Palmer crafted a deeply expressive wine with balance, elegance, and extraordinary longevity.

The heat of the 2003 vintage produced opulent, fruit-forward wines with soft tannins. Giscours’ terroir preserved balance, ensuring freshness and approachability in this bold wine.

The heat of the 2003 vintage produced ripe, concentrated wines with soft tannins and rounded profiles. D'Issan’s gravel soils preserved freshness, ensuring balance in this approachable vintage.

A cool, steady growing season allowed Château Prieuré-Lichine’s vines to ripen gradually, ensuring excellent balance and complexity. The estate’s gravel soils provided ideal drainage during autumn rains, resulting in a focused and graceful wine. A textbook example of Margaux finesse.

A cooler and balanced 2004 vintage resulted in fresh, elegant wines with moderate ripeness. D'Issan’s terroir contributed structure and finesse to this refined Margaux.

Warm, dry weather in 1990 created perfect conditions for producing concentrated and age-worthy wines. Rauzan-Ségla’s gravel soils allowed for even ripening, delivering a wine with remarkable depth and opulence.

A balanced 2016 vintage yielded wines with vibrant acidity, ripe fruit, and fine structure. Marquis de Terme’s gravelly soils enhanced complexity and elegance, resulting in a wine of lasting precision.

The warm and balanced 2016 vintage resulted in ripe, concentrated fruit with fresh acidity. D'Issan’s terroir contributed depth, structure, and elegance to this harmonious vintage.

A cooler and lighter 2017 vintage produced fresh, medium-bodied wines with lifted aromatics. Marojallia’s terroir brought vibrancy and elegance to this accessible and refined vintage.

A cooler 2017 vintage produced fresh, lighter wines with vibrant acidity. D'Issan’s gravelly soils added balance and aromatic lift to this elegant and approachable expression.

The 2017 vintage was marked by severe frosts, but the gravel soils of Prieuré-Lichine protected the vines and ensured quality fruit. Smaller yields resulted in a focused, aromatic wine that highlights the elegance of Margaux. A vintage of refinement under adversity.

A lighter 2017 vintage produced fresh, aromatic wines with moderate alcohol. Marquis de Terme’s terroir preserved finesse and energy, resulting in an approachable and graceful expression.

A warm and sunny 2018 vintage brought concentrated wines with natural balance. Marquis de Terme’s terroir added structure and complexity, making this vintage both powerful and refined.