This past Wednesday, March 27th, Sotheby’s Wine had the honor of hosting Aurélien Valance of Château Margaux for a sold-out Masterclass on the terroir, savoir-faire, and legendary wines of this historic first-growth estate.
Spanning four decades, the illuminating selection revealed a rare window into the exhilarating perfume and finesse that sets Château Margaux apart amongst the world’s greatest wines.
Forged by our long-standing relationships with the great growths of Bordeaux, Sotheby’s is thrilled to release a highly anticipated pre-arrival offer by way of Château Margaux, from the exquisite opulence of their Pavillon Blanc to the ineffable beauty of their benchmark Grand Vin.
All pre-arrival wines are scheduled to arrive from Europe this summer upon request, with a rare opportunity to secure limited quantities of 1983, 1990, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, and 2016.
Read on for highlights from Wednesday night’s tasting or speak to a specialist to secure your own case selection today.
Grand Vin Tasting Highlights | March 27th, 2024
2011 | As always with Bordeaux, age is the cure, and this firmly wound vintage has blossomed into an elegant and inviting wine over the past two years, one that reveals a rich core of raspberry and cassis, laced with subtle florals. Layers of tobacco and roasted cedar unfurl across the well-balanced, medium-bodied palate. With the great growth's signature finesse fully emerging at last, 2011 is the current vintage chosen to serve guests visiting Château Margaux - a welcoming sentiment indeed.
2003 | While the extreme heat left many wines bereft of freshness and tension, Paul Pontallier fashioned an outstanding Château Margaux from the record-breaking vintage. This was agreed upon again last night by Aurélien who cited 2003 amongst one of the best vintages of Château Margaux. “You had to have the right terroir and very old vines”, he explained. Weighing in at a remarkable 13% alcohol, the spicy, light, cherried, cigar box melange delighted us, building to an impressive, lively finish from a supple, balanced frame.
1996 | “A perfect wine, born out of imperfect conditions,’ Aurélien shared. Regarded as one of the top wines of 20th-century Bordeaux, it is easy to understand why this vintage holds a special place for the team at the estate. This is Cabernet-dominated finesse at its finest, with mineral-infused black fruit, graphite, and enveloping cedar incense. Seldom does a wine achieve such classicism and seamless harmony in shape. While stunning now, this promises to reward for years to come.
1983 | Breathtaking in its full maturity, the 1983 captures an ethereal grace that lives up to its hallowed reputation. Rich, yet silky in texture, with soft-spoken tannin, the delicate palate hovers with miraculous poise between its crimson fruits and haunting perfume. As Paul Pontallier's first vintage as director, the 1983 Château Margaux is riveting at its present peak and not to be missed.
For our fellow enthusiasts who simply cannot wait, our immediate availability from Château Margaux completes this exciting pre-arrival opportunity with an impressive range of ready-to-reach benchmarks, from the 2018 Pavillon Rouge to the 2005 Grand Vin.
