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The October 2026 Auction: Part 5
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1 / 2Lot 2164
Estimate: $800
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Collection name
Reviews
100WA
"Is the 2019 Château Margaux the wine of the vintage? A strong case in its favor could certainly be made. Soaring from the glass with aromas of blackberries, raspberries, rose petals, violets, pencil shavings and vine smoke, it's full-bodied, layered and sensual, with a strikingly vibrant core of fruit that's framed by ripe, powdery tannins and bright acids, concluding with a penetrating, mouthwateringly saline finish of almost interminable duration. Complex, elegant and utterly compelling, this is a brilliant Bordeaux that anyone with the requisite disposable income is going to want to own. Philippe Bascaulesâwho served as directeur de l'exploitation under Paul Pontaillier between 1990 and 2011âtook the reins at Château Margaux in early 2017, and he and his team have crafted one of the qualitative pinnacles of the 2019 vintage. Meticulously maintained vineyards, situated on the appellation's finest terroirs, are farmed intelligently, without deleafing or green harvestingâsomething other producers increasingly emulate as they pull back from the excesses of the early 2000s. Cabernet Sauvignon is on the increase, both in terms of plantings and as a percentage of the blend (it represents fully 90% of the grand vin in 2019), which works perfectly with Margaux's soils and the estate's elegant but concentrated style. Winemaking is very traditional, with classical macerations and an 18-month ĂŠlevage in new oak (most barrels are produced in-house) punctuated by six rackings and one egg-white fining. An in-house bottling line is being acquired to bring even greater control and flexibility. Natural cork is the oder of the day for the reds, of course, but whites now see Diam 30 to ensure consistent evolution, and all are bottled in Margaux's new proprietary extra-dark glass bottle."
Region
Red
Country
Score
"Is the 2019 Château Margaux the wine of the vintage? A strong case in its favor could certainly be made. Soaring from the glass with aromas of blackberries, raspberries, rose petals, violets, pencil shavings and vine smoke, it's full-bodied, layered and sensual, with a strikingly vibrant core of fruit that's framed by ripe, powdery tannins and bright acids, concluding with a penetrating, mouthwateringly saline finish of almost interminable duration. Complex, elegant and utterly compelling, this is a brilliant Bordeaux that anyone with the requisite disposable income is going to want to own. Philippe Bascaulesâwho served as directeur de l'exploitation under Paul Pontaillier between 1990 and 2011âtook the reins at Château Margaux in early 2017, and he and his team have crafted one of the qualitative pinnacles of the 2019 vintage. Meticulously maintained vineyards, situated on the appellation's finest terroirs, are farmed intelligently, without deleafing or green harvestingâsomething other producers increasingly emulate as they pull back from the excesses of the early 2000s. Cabernet Sauvignon is on the increase, both in terms of plantings and as a percentage of the blend (it represents fully 90% of the grand vin in 2019), which works perfectly with Margaux's soils and the estate's elegant but concentrated style. Winemaking is very traditional, with classical macerations and an 18-month ĂŠlevage in new oak (most barrels are produced in-house) punctuated by six rackings and one egg-white fining. An in-house bottling line is being acquired to bring even greater control and flexibility. Natural cork is the oder of the day for the reds, of course, but whites now see Diam 30 to ensure consistent evolution, and all are bottled in Margaux's new proprietary extra-dark glass bottle."
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The world's most influential fine-wine producer and the benchmark for Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhone. Its appellation (AOC) system codifies geography, grape and method, and its wines set the global standard for age-worthiness and terroir expression.
The world's largest fine-wine region, built around blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Divided by the Gironde estuary into the structured Left Bank and the plush, Merlot-led Right Bank, it is the historic benchmark for age-worthy claret and sweet Sauternes.
The Left Bank appellation prized for perfumed, silky and elegant Cabernet-based wines. Gravel soils yield claret of aromatic finesse and refinement.
Chateau Margaux is a First Growth estate in Margaux, Bordeaux, celebrated for its perfumed, silky and profoundly elegant Cabernet-dominated wines, considered the epitome of the appellation's finesse.
2019 in Bordeaux was a warm, balanced vintage that retained freshness despite summer heat spikes; the wines are ripe yet classically proportioned, with silky tannins, aromatic lift, strong value and fine aging potential.
Cabernet Franc is an aromatic red grape prized for its perfume, freshness and savory character. Raspberry and violet are familiar notes, often joined by red fruit, herbs and a leafy edge. Its wines can be supple and fragrant or more firmly structured, with the balance of fruit, tannin and herbal complexity shaped by ripeness, vineyard site and winemaking. In France's Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc often takes center stage in wines from Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny. These expressions highlight the grape's ability to reflect differences between vineyards while retaining a distinctive sense of freshness. In Bordeaux, particularly Saint-Ămilion, it is an important partner to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing aromatic lift, finesse and structure. Cabernet Franc generally ripens before Cabernet Sauvignon and produces wines ranging from lively, fruit-focused bottlings to concentrated examples capable of developing additional complexity with age. Its appeal lies in the interplay of fruit, floral perfume and savory detail, whether bottled on its own or used to bring nuance to a blend.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape known for deep color, firm tannins and a clearly defined structure. Blackcurrant, often described as cassis, is a signature flavor, accompanied by blackberry and, depending on the wine, cedar, graphite, mint or herbal notes. Oak aging can add spice and toast, while bottle age may bring tobacco, leather and other savory layers. The grape is a cornerstone of Bordeaux's Left Bank, especially the MĂŠdoc and Graves, where it is commonly blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and smaller amounts of other varieties. Beyond Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon has established distinctive regional identities, including Australia's Coonawarra and Margaret River. Vineyard climate and ripeness influence whether the emphasis falls on fresh fruit and herbs or richer, fuller expressions. Its tannins, acidity and concentration can support long development in well-balanced examples. Many accessible styles are made for earlier enjoyment, while more structured wines reward time as their tannins soften and their aromas evolve. Cabernet Sauvignon brings depth and backbone to blends and can also express a vineyard's character as a varietal wine.
Merlot is a red grape valued for generous fruit, a rounded palate and a supple, often velvety texture. Plum and cherry are characteristic flavors, sometimes accompanied by violet or fig, with chocolate, coffee and savory notes developing in some wines as they mature. Its styles range from bright, approachable reds to deeply concentrated wines with substantial structure. Bordeaux is Merlot's historic home, and the grape is particularly important on the Right Bank in Saint-Ămilion, Pomerol and Fronsac. There it can lead a blend, frequently partnered with Cabernet Franc. Across Bordeaux, Merlot also complements Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing fruit and roundness alongside the latter's firmer tannic framework. Merlot generally ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, helping growers achieve ripe fruit in a range of conditions. Vineyard site, harvest timing and cellar choices determine the final balance of richness, freshness and tannin. Many bottlings offer pleasure in their youth, while fine, well-balanced examples can develop layered aromas and greater complexity through extended aging.
Petit Verdot is a red grape associated with deeply colored wines, firm tannins and pronounced aromatic intensity. Violet, spice and licorice are characteristic notes, with cocoa or coffee appearing in some expressions. Even a small addition can give a blend greater depth, texture and structure. In Bordeaux, Petit Verdot traditionally plays a supporting role alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, especially on the Left Bank in the MĂŠdoc and Graves. Its late-ripening cycle makes the growing season important: sufficient warmth and time are needed to bring its fruit and tannins to maturity. The proportion used in a blend therefore varies with the vineyard, vintage and producer's style. Petit Verdot is also bottled on its own, particularly in warm growing regions where it can ripen reliably. These wines give a fuller view of its floral, spicy character and concentrated structure. Careful vineyard work and tannin management are central to balancing its intensity, whether it serves as a small but influential blending component or the principal grape in the bottle.