The Margaux appellation Margaux is a bit like a movie star: elegant, timeless, and always in the spotlight. Located on the left bank of Bordeaux, in the heart of the Médoc, the magnificent Margaux is internationally known and recognized for its top-tier red wines.
In this article, we invite you to discover it in its entirety through a journey across its history, its terroirs, as well as its wines and Grands Crus.
Enjoy your reading!
Summary
History of the Margaux appellation
The Margaux vineyard finds its earliest traces in Antiquity, a period when the Romans introduced vine cultivation to the Bordeaux region. The Médoc, then a very marshy area, was not well suited to viticulture.
During the Middle Ages, viticulture expanded in the region. Nevertheless, it remained mainly concentrated at the gates of the city of Bordeaux.
From the 12th century, the export of Bordeaux wines to England began, notably thanks to the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II Plantagenet. This pivotal era contributed to the emerging reputation of Bordeaux wines. However, the Médoc, and Margaux in particular, still lagged behind other terroirs such as Saint-Émilion or Graves.
The real boom of Margaux as a wine region actually began in the 17th century. It was during this period that, on the orders of major Bordeaux landowners, Dutch merchants undertook major works to transform the Médoc marshes into arable land. Once drained, the gravelly soils of Margaux then revealed their unique potential for viticulture.
The 18th century marked a period of prosperity for Margaux. The region then benefited from the rise of international trade in Bordeaux wines, and major wine estates such as Château Margaux emerged and gained increasing renown.
The 19th century also represents a decisive stage in the history of Margaux thanks to the creation in 1855 of the classification of the Grands Crus of the Médoc and Sauternais. This hierarchy then consolidated the reputation of wines from the entire region.
The end of the 19th century was nevertheless marked by major crises, notably the phylloxera crisis, which devastated European vineyards.
In the 20th century, the Margaux vineyard continued to produce exceptional wines but had to survive two world wars as well as the economic crisis. In 1936, Margaux finally obtained its Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), recognizing the quality and uniqueness of its terroir.
Today, the Margaux AOC covers over 1,500 hectares and is world-renowned for its harmonious red wines, distinguished by their legendary balance between power and elegance.
Map of the Médoc and location of the Margaux appellation
Soils and climate of the Margaux AOC
So, what is the secret of Margaux wines? Well, above all, it is its exceptional terroir! This appellation indeed benefits from gravelly soils composed of pebbles, gravel, and sand.
The gravelly mounds, typical of the Médoc region, play a key role here by providing excellent drainage and allowing the vines to avoid water stress. These terroirs are also excellent thermal regulators, storing heat during the day and releasing it at night.
As for the climate, the Atlantic Ocean plays a moderating role. Winters are mild, summers are warm without being scorching, and rainfall is well distributed to ensure harmonious vine growth. A perfect balance for producing exceptional wines!
The wines of the Margaux AOC
When you open a bottle of Margaux, you experience all the charm of the Médoc. Beyond the soils of the appellation, another key to the magic of the local wines lies in a grape composition based mainly on 2 varieties:
-The Cabernet Sauvignon : it covers nearly 55% of the vineyard and is the true backbone, providing structure and aging potential to the wines produced.
-The Merlot : it is the other major grape of Margaux, representing nearly 38% of the appellation's area. It brings roundness, smoothness, and generous aromas of red and black fruits.
The Petit Verdot (4%) and Cabernet Franc (3%) also enhance the blend with their spicy and floral notes as well as their tannic structure.
So, as you will have understood, the appellation produces only red wines and these are of remarkable finesse.
On the nose, notes of black fruits (blackcurrant, plum, blackberry, etc.) may stand out, accompanied by refined spices such as pepper, clove, or vanilla. Here, almost all wines are aged in oak barrels.
On the palate, deep flavors emerge and a dense yet smooth tannic structure appears. A sense of harmony is what makes Margaux wines so charming. A perfect marriage of power and delicacy!
Margaux wines are also magnificent age-worthy red wines. While a young Margaux will dazzle you with its liveliness and explosion of fruit, a mature Margaux will reveal all its depth and aromatic complexity with notes of undergrowth, leather, and sometimes even truffle!
Cabernet Sauvignon, the main grape variety of Margaux wines
The Grands Crus Classés of the Margaux appellation
With its 1 500 hectares of vines, Margaux is the second largest appellation in the Médoc, just behind Saint-Estèphe. Moreover, it shines particularly in the 1855 Grands Crus Classés classification.
Indeed, Margaux is proudly represented by 21 classified châteaux, the record for the region ! Here is their list.
1st Grand Cru Classé (1 estate)
-Château Margaux
Second Grands Crus Classés (5 estates)
-Château Rauzan-Ségla
-Château Rauzan-Gassies
-Château Durfort-Vivens
-Château Lascombes
-Château Brane-Cantenac
Third Grands Crus Classés (10 estates)
-Château Kirwan
-Château d'Issan
-Château Giscours
-Château Malescot St-Exupéry
-Château Cantenac-Brown
-Château Boyd-Cantenac
-Château Palmer
-Château Desmirail
-Château Ferrière
-Château Marquis d'Alesme
Fourth Grands Crus Classés (3 estates)
-Château Pouget
-Château Prieuré-Lichine
-Château Marquis de Terme
Fifth Grands Crus Classés (2 estates)
-Château Dauzac
-Château du Tertre
While these estates represent the elite of the appellation, many other châteaux coexist alongside them.
The case of Château Margaux
While we cannot cover all the vineyards listed here, we still wanted to share a few details about the great star of the appellation : Château Margaux!
Classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855, Château Margaux is truly an icon of world viticulture. Benefiting from an exceptional terroir, the estate's soils are gravelly and combined with clay-limestone subsoils, thus ensuring perfect drainage and an ideal water reserve. This unique setting is made up of about 82 hectares of vines, mainly dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon and complemented by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.
The Grand Vin of Château Margaux is renowned for its elegance and complexity, offering a perfect balance between power and finesse. Its aromas of black fruits, violet, and spices evolve over time to reveal woody and truffle notes.
This exceptional wine has an immense aging potential, often exceeding several decades. Alongside it, the estate also produces Pavillon Rouge, its second wine, and Pavillon Blanc, a dry Sauvignon Blanc of great purity.
A symbol of excellence and refinement, Château Margaux embodies the very essence of the Médoc and remains, century after century, one of the great jewels of French viticulture.
Château Margaux: the must-see icon of the appellation
What to eat with a Margaux AOC wine?
The red wines of Margaux are perfect partners to enhance your dishes and surprise your guests. Thanks to their fine tannic structure and elegant aromas, these cuvées adapt to a multitude of flavors.
Red meats and game
There is nothing like a red Margaux wine to accompany a delicious leg of lamb, whose juicy aromas will blend deliciously with the structure of the wine.
Grilled, braised, or roasted meats, whether beef, pork, duck, or even game, are also excellent companions for a red Margaux AOC wine.
Enhance your Margaux wine with braised beef and vegetables, an exquisite pairing
Mushrooms and truffles
Dishes based on mushrooms or truffles are also perfect partners for Margaux AOC wines. The earthy aromas of these ingredients enhance the subtle and complex notes of the wine, creating a delicate yet surprisingly harmonious pairing.
Older vintages pair particularly well with these ingredients!
Cheeses
Thanks to their fine tannic structure and smooth texture, it is also quite possible to pair a Margaux wine with cheeses. However, care should be taken when choosing them.
We recommend, for example, cheeses such as Comté (24-36 months), Beaufort, or aged Gouda, which pair particularly well with a Margaux. Their mild and slightly nutty flavors harmonize very well with the complexity of the wine, without overpowering its aromas.
Cantal or Tomme de Savoie also offer interesting combinations, their moderate texture and taste allowing the subtlety of Margaux to shine through.
Finally, cheeses such as Saint-Nectaire or Reblochon, when not too strong, can also create a beautiful balance with the round tannins of a Margaux.
From a tasting perspective, and to fully enjoy your bottle, we recommend serving your Margaux red wine between 16-18°C. At this temperature, your bottle will retain its freshness while expressing its complexity and delicate aromas.
The best wines of the Margaux AOC
Are you looking for the best red wines of the Margaux appellation? La Cave Éclairée offers you two must-visit châteaux of the region that will let you discover the soul of this exceptional terroir!
Château Brane-Cantenac
The wines of Château Brane-Cantenac, Second Grand Cru Classé, reflect the siliceous and clayey gravels of the Cantenac plateau. Henri Lurton is now at the head of this magnificent estate covering 75 hectares. The wines from the vineyard, especially the first wine, express the typical grace and suppleness of the greatest Bordeaux wines and are definitely among the elite of the region.
The Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of this great wine, complemented by Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. The perfect balance of this cuvée, between power and finesse, makes it a must-try. Moreover, its price remains relatively reasonable (for a Grand Cru Classé) considering the quality it offers.
Château Mille Roses
Nestled in the heart of the Margaux appellation, Château Mille Roses perfectly embodies the indulgentise of the region's wines.
Created in 1999 by Sophie and David Faure, the estate covers 9.5 hectares cultivated in organic farming. Cabernet Sauvignon is also the majority here, and barrel aging is carried out to highlight, not overpower, the fruit.
The very high-quality terroir of the estate is mainly composed of gravel and sand. The property also has very prestigious neighbors, as its vines are surrounded by those of Châteaux Giscours and Cantemerle, both Grands Crus Classés.
Discover this high-quality estate offering delicious wines in Margaux and Haut-Médoc AOC!
You are now almost an expert on the Margaux appellation! So, to complete your collection, don't forget to take a look at our selection of Bordeaux wines! Grands Crus or hidden gems, there is something for everyone. Visit La Cave Éclairée !
