2022, Château Marquis de Terme, MARGAUX 4ème Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

The 40-hectare, 4th Growth vineyard of Chateau Marquis de Terme is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. This shows a slight change since the mid-1990s with less Cabernet Sauvignon and more Merlot planted today. The Cabernet Franc has also been removed from the vineyard. In 2009, a complete renovation and modernisation were completed.

Damson plum, underbrush, fingerprint of the vintage shown in intense black cherry and blackberry fruits, laced with fig tart and rosemary, and edges of charcoal and slate. Good stuff, intense and knitted down, and when the tannins threaten to close in, well judged acidities come in. 50% new oak. 91 Jane Anson, Decanter.

Sumptuous and svelte, this has a nice sleek core with a smooth texture - clean fruit offset by present, grippy and fleshy tannins that coat the whole mouth. Fruit feels ripe and well worked and this has shots of cool freshness and nice balancing acidity. Clean and stylish with purity, length and lots to like and where the ample tannins combine with serious juiciness that gives energy and focus. A great wine from Margaux and consistently good quality from this estate run by Ludovic David. Julien Viaud consultant. 94 Geogina Hindle, Decanter.

The 2022 Marquis de Terme is massively shut down and compact, with searing tannins that dominate. Dark fruit, spice, chocolate, licorice and leather struggle to emerge, but the tannins are just too imposing at this stage. Élevage will be critical. Tasted two times. 86-89 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

The 2022 Marquis de Terme was tasted twice with two differing impressions. The first has a rich and quite opulent nose, a bit hazy due to the alcohol, with black cherries, cassis and just a touch of eau-de-vie. A second bottle demonstrates much more clarity. The palate is medium-bodied with thick but dry tannins, a bit austere and I am seeking more fruit to balance out the finish. The second sample provided that, although it still feels a bit "solid" and missing a bit of grace. I hope to see an uptick in quality come bottling. NB This will be bottled under Diam. 89-91 Neal Martin, Vinous. 

Drinking Window: 2029 - 2049