The wines from Margaux are heterogeneous, like those from many appellations in this vintage. The best wines show poise and precision, with attractive, floral Margaux aromatics and wonderful purity. Some wines, however, are dilute and thin, or overextracted and out of balance.
Among the Margaux wines I tasted (more than 35), many offer early drinking pleasure and are both stylistically respectful to the terroir and reflective of the vintage. The list of recommended wines and tasting notes below represent only a small selection of the numerous Margaux producers who were successful in 2024, and some of these deserve special mention: Château d’Issan, Château du Tertre, Château Lascombes, Château Rauzan-Ségla, and Marquis d’Alesme. I would happily recommend any of these wines in 2024.
Note: The ratings given here are provisional, since they represent the evaluation of unfinished wines tasted as barrel samples, not the final wines.
Château Brane-Cantenac 2ème Cru
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(77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc)
This is an impressive vintage for Brane-Cantenac, the result of immense refinements made in the vineyard and cellar over the past decade. The wine is intensely perfumed, quintessentially Margaux, with tannins that are silky and gentle yet persistent on the finish. The palate is filled with attractive violets, crushed rose petals, and sweet red-berry flavors that are detailed and refined. The wine is articulate and vibrant, with a long, insistent finish. A superb effort that showcases the finesse of Margaux in a challenging vintage. 2032–50. 93
Château Giscours 3ème Cru
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(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot)
This an attractive Giscours that is well-crafted and expressive of its unique site. The palate offers layers of red berries, cassis, and plums accented by violets and jasmine flowers. The lovely details are balanced by refined, fine-grained tannins and impressive length. A brilliant, elegant wine that reflects its superior gravelly, well-drained terroir. 2032–49. 93
Château Malescot St-Exupéry 3ème Cru
(53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot)
An elegant and finely balanced wine, Malescot St-Exupéry delivers a fresh, lifted expression of the vintage. The palate shows clarity and detail, with layers of cassis, red plums, sandalwood, and sweet spices. The silky, supple tannins add to the graceful structure and the finish is quite long. This wine is poised and precise from start to finish, and, rather surprisingly, is more than half Merlot, which suffered from immense disease pressure in 2024. 2032–52. 93
Château Margaux 1er Cru
(93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot)
The 2024 Château Margaux is elegant and focused, with a silky, firm tannin structure and tightly wound flavors. I was disappointed not to find the intense aromatics I love in Margaux in lighter vintages, but perhaps it was just my particular sample on the day. The palate was also quite restrained, with hints of blackberries, capsicum, and violets. This is a classic, graceful, cool-climate expression of Margaux dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which was less susceptible to downy mildew during the growing season and therefore dictated the final blend and style. 2034–52. 94
Château Palmer 3ème Cru
(59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot)
There is surprising concentration in the 2024 Palmer considering the vintage conditions. The color is deep and the flavors are quite concentrated and intense, showcasing black plums, blackberries, and savory spices. The tannins are suave and form a solid mid-palate core to the wine, without being too big or heavy. This is a refined wine of finesse and depth from a pioneering biodynamic Margaux estate. 2032–52. 93
Jeannie Cho Lee MW on Bordeaux 2024
Bordeaux 2024: An opportunity for relevance?
Bordeaux 2024: Pauillac recommended wines
Bordeaux 2024: St-Estèphe and St-Julien
