Margaux

🇫🇷 France

AOC Rare find

AOC 1936 - 21 Crus Classés, the most elegant Left Bank commune

Region profile

History

Romans planted grapes here 2,000 years ago - first Bordeaux area under vine. Château Margaux was only property to score perfect 20/20 in 1855 Classification. Pierre de Lestonnac restructured estate from grain to wine (1572-1582). Thomas Jefferson noted it as "first quality" in 1787. First claret sold at Christie's auction in 1771.

Climate
Thinnest soils in Médoc with highest gravel proportion; diverse terroir across 5 communes (Margaux-Cantenac, Arsac, Labarde, Soussans); 1,488 hectares - largest Médoc communal appellation
Signature wines
Château Margaux - First Growth, 87ha, Mentzelopoulos family since 1976 restored estate to glory; eleven 100-point scores since 2014; epitome of elegance with violet and cassis perfume
What sets it apart
Only Médoc commune with all five classification tiers represented; known as "feminine" Bordeaux for silk and perfume over power; most classified growths of any appellation

Facts

  • 21 Crus Classés (more than any other commune) - 1 First, 5 Second, 10 Third, 4 Fourth, 2 Fifth Growths
  • 84 independent winegrowers
  • spans 5 communes merged administratively in 2017