France·Foundational·$$$$$

Château Margaux

First Growth Bordeaux from Médoc's Margaux commune. The reference for elegant, perfumed Cabernet-led Bordeaux blends.

Founded
12th century (modern era 1815)
Ownership
Family-owned (Mentzelopoulos)
Price tier
$$$$$
Annual production
~150,000 bottles grand vin
Primary appellation
Margaux AOC
Cross-references
7

About Château

Château Margaux sits at the southern end of the Médoc, in the commune that gave the property its name. Classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855 — one of only five “First Growth” Bordeaux estates — the property has been continuously producing Cabernet-Merlot-dominated wine since at least the 16th century. The current Mentzelopoulos ownership era, beginning in 1977, brought the estate back to the absolute top of the Bordeaux hierarchy after a period of underperformance in the mid-20th century. The grand vin is among the most perfumed and elegant wines in Bordeaux — a stylistic counterpoint to the more powerful Latour and the more austere Lafite. The pavillon line (second wine and white) extends the estate's range. Annual grand vin production is roughly 12,500 cases; the wines age 20-40+ years from strong vintages.

Flagship wines

  • Château Margaux (grand vin)
  • Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux (second wine)
  • Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux

Editorial notes

Practical guidance

1855 classification status is the single most reliable quality signal in Bordeaux. The grand vin requires significant cellaring — 10-15 years minimum from strong vintages, 20-40 for full evolution.

Cross-references

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