Château Margaux 2015: A unique dressing for an already legendary vintage
This is the first time in its history that the Premier Grand Cru Classé of Margaux has marked a vintage with a unique packaging. The reasons for the imagination of this label of great elegance are various. It is above all a tribute to Paul Pontallier, who died too early in March 2016, the 2015 vintage is the last produced under his direction. This special edition is also that of the celebration of 200 years of the architecture of the castle and the inauguration of the new cellars designed by Lord Norman Foster. Finally, it is quite simply one of the greatest vintages in the history of the property.
The climatic conditions of 2015 are in fact characteristic of very great vintages like 2005, 2009 and 2010. The red harvests at Château Margaux took place from September 18th to October 6th. The small size of the grape berries and their thicker skin suggested a very high tannic concentration. This wine fits into a very particular context. 2015 is a historic year, literally, at Château Margaux since the property celebrated both the bicentenary of the construction of the estate's buildings in 1815, and inaugurated the new premises built or remodeled by Norman Foster. It's easy to imagine how the Margaux teams dreamed of 2015 being a great vintage! As for the blends, only 35% of the total harvest was retained for the first wine, a record for severity in a vintage of this level. As usual, Cabernet Sauvignon is the backbone with 87% of the blend; in addition to its concentration, its finesse, this year it has an unusual vigor and strength. Merlot has not been unworthy, at least in the large plots; it enters up to 8% in the first wine. Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%) also find their place in this very elitist blend, confirming that very great vintages generally allow all the grape varieties to express their own genius. How to situate Château Margaux 2015 in relation to its predecessors? It is a thankless task, and a little in vain, especially for the greatest vintages. There are of course similarities, resemblances, and also some differences where we do not expect them ... But we can evoke both the strength of 2005, the flesh of 2009, the subtlety of 2010, and the charm inimitable of Château Margaux.
