All of the following 2023 Margaux wines were tasted in Bordeaux in April in non-blind tasting conditions. Most of the wines were tasted at the property. However, I also tasted several wines at Negociants, Consultants, or with various trade groups. Whenever possible the wines were tasted on more than one occasion.
For a detailed overview of the 2023 Bordeaux vintage, growing season, and harvest, with links to all of our appellation reports 2023 Bordeaux Vintage Analysis with Buying Tips for the Best Wines of the Vintage
2023 Angludet – Margaux – Licorice, espresso, flowers, cocoa, herbs, and currants already express their essence on the nose and medium-bodied, fresh, crisp palate. The cherry, and currant finish displays a nice touch of chocolate, touched by oak, and savory herbs in the finish. Already approachable, this will probably be at its best in its youth. Drink from 2026-2038. 88-90 Pts
2023 Bellevue de Tayac – Margaux – Medium-bodied, forward, and already open, with just a swirl and sip, it is easy to find the sweet, dark cherries with their espresso and cocoa edge in the nose, and on the palate. Drink from 2026-2037. 87-89 Pts
2023 Brane Cantenac – Margaux – Cuban cigars, cedar, cassis, spice, forest floor, and flowers open the perfume. On the palate, the wine shines with its silky textures, vibrancy, and hints of salty rocks that ride along effortlessly, with its layers of, sweet, ripe, black with red fruits. There is length, and refinement. Taking close to 1 month to harvest is what the difference with 2023. This is another vintage that Brane Cantenac lovers should have in their cellars. The wine blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere. 13.5% ABV, 3.77 pH. The harvest took place September 4 – October 2. The Grand Vin was produced from only 40% of the harvest. Drink from 2029-2055. 95-97 Pts
2023 Brane Cantenac Baron de Brane – Margaux – Cedar, cigar wrapper, spice and red berry aromas create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is round, chocolatey, forward, and soft, with layers of ripe, creamy, black cherries, and a touch of dust to the tannins with a bit of peppery, spearmint that adds complexity to the endnote. This baby Brane is perfect to enjoy on release while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine blends 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenere, and 1% Petit Verdot, 13.8% ABV. Drink from 2026-2040.
2023 Brane Cantenac Blanc – Bordeaux – Fresh cut lawn grass, green apples, white peach, and pineapple aromas take no effort to find. On the palate, the wine is soft, fresh, creamy and delivers its citrus, and sweet, juicy pineapples from start to finish. This is already delicious in your glass. The wine blends 62% Sauvignon with 28% Semillon. Drink from 2025-2033. 92 Pts
2023 Cantenac Brown – Margaux – 2023 is the first vintage produced in the new, state-of-the-art gravity cellars, which really made a difference this year. Sporting a dark hue, the intense aromatic profile shoots out its blackberry, espresso, flowers, cherries, and truffle with only a single swirl. On the palate, the wine is opulent, powerful, rich, and intense, yet, it is also light on its feet due to its complementing acidities. The finish is long, intense, energetic, and rich, with layers of sweet, polished, luscious fruits, with just a hint of spice, and peppery cocoa on the back end. The wine is a blend of 71.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and 1.5% Petit Verdot. 13.6% ABV, 3.64 pH. The Grand Vin was produced using only 52% of the harvest. Picking took place September 7 – October 6, making this the longest harvest in the history of the estate. Drink from 2029-2055. 94-96 Pts
2023 Cantenac Brown Brio de Cantenac Brown – Margaux – The black cherries, cedar, and tobacco in the nose are easy to spot. Lush, round, dark, and loaded with chocolate-covered cherries, spice, and licorice, the wine is already pure pleasure in the glass. The wine blends 53% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2036. 91-93 Pts
2023 – Cantenac Brown Alto de Cantenac – Bordeaux – Ripe pineapples, white peach, tangerine, and white flowers create the perfume, and the core of the wine. The palate is round, fruity, lush, and fresh, with a pineapple, and lemon peel focused finish. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon. Drink 2025-2031. 91 Pts
2023 DArsac – Margaux – Medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant red berries with notes of dried flowers and red currants show in the nose, and on the palate. The finishes with a crispness to the red fruits on the palate, and in the backend of the endnote. Drink from 2027-2040. 88-90 Pts
2023 DIssan – Margaux – Silky, elegance is the hallmark of this wine. It takes only one sip to know this is special. Concentrated, lush, refined, and rich, there is tension paired with layers of sweet, ripe, opulent fruits that linger. The purity in the mid-palate extends through to the rich, plush finish. The wine is made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot. 13.83% ABV, 3.66 pH. Picking took place September 18 – October 2, making this one of the longest, and latest harvests in the history of the estate. Drink from 2029-2055. 94-96 Pts
2023 DIssan Blason d’Issan – Margaux – Flowers, spice, and ripe, red berries create the main focus of the wine here. Medium-bodied, soft, juicy, and fresh, with soft, silky tannins, and sweetness, with a cherry-filled finish. Give this a year to soften, and it will be perfect for near-term drinking while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2026-2037. 89-91 Pts
2023 Dauzac – Margaux – Flowers, black cherries, espresso, tobacco, and cedar form the core of the character here. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is soft, fresh, elegant, and round, with fresh, black currants, cherries, cocoa, and chalk from the mid-palate through to the finish. Drink from 2028-2050. 91-93 Pts
2023 Desmirail – Margaux – Tobacco, and flowers, cedar, and currants pop in the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, and vibrant, the finish serves up loads of sweet, ripe, black cherries currants licorice, and spice. Drink from 2027-2042. 91-93 Pts
2023 Deyrem Valentin – Margaux – Round, soft, forward, and medium-bodied, with a core of ripe, sweet, lifted currants, licorice, espresso, flowers, and cherries, create an open, creamy, polished, wine that will be easy-to-enjoy with pleasure on release, and for 12-15 years after that. Drink from 2027-2040. 91-93 Pts
2023 Giscours – Margaux – Flowers, truffle, blackberries, black cherries, smoke, cigar box, and spice-filled aromatics open the wine. The wine offers a fresh, mineral-driven, multi-layered experience packed with layers of ripe, sweet, black cherries, and currants. The mid-palate and finish is silky, lifted, and ripe, with vibrancy, elegance, and purity from start to finish. The wine is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV, pH 3.75. Harvesting took place September 5 – October 6. Drink from 2028-2055. 94-96 Pts
2023 La Sirene de Giscours – Margaux – Flowers and black cherries get the wine going in the nose and on the palate. The wine is fresh, vibrant, chewy, and energetic, with a nice blast of spicy, black cherries, and peppery currants that show in the endnote. Drink from 2026-2038. 89-91 Pts
2023 Kirwan – Margaux – Flowers, espresso, mint, black cherries, and spice nuances are easy to spot. Medium-bodied, fresh, elegant, and refined, with a silky-edge to the finish, the fruits, chocolate accents, and a lifted, sweet endnote. Drink from 2028-2045. 91-93 Pts
2023 La Fortune – Margaux – Incense, spice, and red berries are easy to find in this charming, medium-bodied, soft-textured, forward, elegant, and early drinking Margaux. Drink from 2026-2038. 89-91 Pts
2023 La Tour de Mons – Margaux – Tobacco, cedar, cherries, and flowers form the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, chewy, and spicy, with freshness, and energy that comes through all of the red cherries in the finish. The wine blends 57% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV, 3.6 pH. Drink from 2026-2042. 90-92 Pts
2023 Labegorce – Margaux – On the nose, you find flowers, cherries, blackberries, herbs, and plums. The palate serves up its blend of silky, spicy, creamy red, and chewy black fruits. There is good length and energy here that carries through to the mint-tinted finish. The wine blends 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV, pH 3.7. The harvest took place September 13 – October 9. Drink from 2028-2050. 92-94 Pts
2023 Lascombes – Margaux – The first vintage with the new owners, with Axel Heinz calling the shots, comes through nicely with its nose of flowers, incense, spice, and black, with red, and blue fruits. On the palate, the wine is soft, supple, subtle, and fresh, There is energy here, as well as a relaxed, silky feeling on the palate. The freshness in the finish is capped with by mint leaves, spice, and vibrant, currants with cocoa on the backend. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and an even mix of Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. 13.5% ABV. This is an updated style for the chateau. Loads of big changes here starting with the amount of wine placed into the Grand Vin slashed by more than 30%. The aging program is 50% new French oak, with a lighter toast, used barrels, and foudres. Drink from 2028-2055. 93-95 Pts
2023 Le Coteau – Margaux – Flowers, black cherries, tobacco, and black raspberries come together nicely in the medium-bodied, black cherry-filled wine. Vibrant, soft, and fresh, this is already quite nice in your glass. Drink from 2026-2036. 89-91 Pts
2023 Le Coteau Hoplitis – Margaux – One of the few Bordeaux wines produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon kicks off with flowers, black raspberries, and tobacco wrappers. Medium-bodied, , the wine is fresh, complex and vibrant, with sweetness to the currants, and lift in the finish. This is a Signature Selection Exclusive. Drink from 2027-2040. 91-93 Pts
2023 Le Coteau Pelopee – Margaux – The top end wine from Le Coteau is a new cuvee made from a small, .6 hectare parcel of the estate’s oldest vines which are close to 100 years of age! Aged entirely in amphora, the wine offers the essence of minerality, red currants, flowers and spice. Medium-bodied, vibrant, and bright, this is going to be fine for early drinking pleasure. This is a Signature Selections Exclusive. Drink from 2026-2038. 90-92 Pts
2023 Malescot St. Exupery – Margaux – Black cherries, blackberries, licorice, chocolate, and flowers create an, opulent, deep, dark, styed wine. The fruits are ripe, soft, polished, sweet, clean, and pure. There is weight, with ample lift making it fresh, as well as fruity. The amount of new. French oak for the aging has been reduced from 80% to 60%, which has added more complexity to the wine. The wine is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. 14% ABV. Harvesting took place September 19-October 10. Drink from 2029-2055. 94-96 Pts
2023 Chateau Margaux – Margaux – In competition for wine of the vintage, with a single swirl, you find roses violets, lilacs, black, with red cherries, espresso, cocoa, and boysenberries in the haunting aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is silky, velvety, energetic, and lively. Instead of the weight and intensity found in the 2022, the 2023 focuses on its purity, refinement, length, vivacity, and sensual textures. The seamless finish resonates for 60 seconds, leaving you with lingering waves of incredibly sweet, and pure cherries. Part of the reason for the success of the vintage at Margaux is due to the combination of the amount of rain, and even more importantly, the timing of the rains, which helped the vines reach a better level of maturity. It is interesting to note that macerations were slow, and easy, with some vats taking 28 days due to the lower alcohol levels. The wine blends 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 13.1% ABV. 3.61 pH, 15% press wine. 41% of the crop was placed into the Grand Vin. Picking took place September 11-October 6. The length of the harvest was due to intermittent periods of rain during the harvest, so picking stopped and started, which is another key to the success in 2023. Drink from 2030-2065. 98-100 Pts
2023 Chateau Margaux Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux – Margaux – Flowers, and spice, along with black cherries, tobacco wrapper, and plums spring from the glass. Elegant, refined, soft-textured, and fresh, the silky-textured, cherries are vibrant, bright, and lifted, with length, and purity. The wine was made from blending 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. 13.3% ABV. Drink from 2027-2043. 92-94 Pts
2025 Margaux Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux – Bordeaux – White flowers, pomelo, white peach, green apples, and tangerine create the perfume. The palate continues with that theme. It takes a second before the fruits sneak up on you and starts to pop in the finish, leaving with you layers of sweet, vibrant, crisp, juicy, citrus, and green apples, with a complicating touch of chalk on the the backend. The wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc.13. ABV. 3.15 pH. Harvesting took place only in the mornings, from August 23 – August 30. Drink from 2025-2038. 95 Pts
2023 Marquis dAlesme – Margaux – The perfume pops with flowers, cherries, mint, tobacco, smoke, mocha, and cedar. On the palate, the wine is elegant, soft, and lifted, with a spicy edge to the red berries. There is a chalky, marine influence that comes through on the back end of the finish. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. 13% ABV. 3.5 pH. The harvest took place from September 16 – October 6. Yields were only 32 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2028-2055. 93-95 Pts
2023 Marquis dAlesme Saam Long – Vin de France – The striking nose pops with flowers, orange rind, ginger, pineapple, white peach with a touch of Indian, peppery spice. The wine is sweet, fruity, creamy, and complex. There is richness as well as lift. It is a unique profile. Its uniqueness comes from its blend of Petit Manseng, and Albarino. The wine was vinified in stainless steel and aged in used French oak barrels. Drink from 2024-2029. 91 Pts
2023 Marquis de Terme – Margaux – Tobacco, mint-leaf, cigar box, flowers, and red fruit aromatics open the perfume. Medium-bodied, soft, and silky, with a refined character from start to finish, this is quite nice, and will only improve with aging. Drink from 2027-2050. 92-94 Pts
2023 Monbrison – Margaux – Black currants, espresso, and spearmint form the character here. The wine is medium-bodied, forward, soft, and fruity, with an easy-going-charm. Drink from 2026-2036. 89-91 Pts
2023 Palmer – Margaux – Violets, tobacco, blackberries, cigar box, spice, and black cherries form the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, lush, polished, and fresh. There is length, purity, velvety tannins, and a racy, energetic, fruit-packed finish, with an exotic touch of cardamon in the backend that adds even more of an edge. The almost seamless finish resonates for 50 seconds. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 14% ABV, 3.75 pH. The harvest took place September 11 – October 5. Waiting the few extra days in September made the difference in the wine this year. Yields are a scant 32 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2029-2065. 97-99 Pts
2023 Palmer Alter Ego dePalmer – Margaux – Tobacco, cedar, savory herbs, flowers, currants, cocoa, spice, and licorice pop without asking in the nose. On the palate, the wine is even better. Medium-bodied, racy, fresh, vibrant, and also loaded with fresh, vivid, black, red, and blue fruits, spice, mint, and dark chocolate. The end note lingers with the perfect blend of refreshing acidities, and lush, silky, velvety fruits. The wine is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 13.9% ABV, 3.75 pH. Drink from 2028-2043. 92-94 Pts
2023 Paveil de Luze – Margaux – Soft, fresh, elegant, refined, and loaded with sweet, ripe fruits, and flowers, this is one of the best vintage of Paveil de Luze I have ever tasted. Drink from 2027-2040. 89-91 Pts
2023 Prieure-Lichine – Margaux – Currants, tobacco, cocoa, currants, black cherries, spice, and flowers shine in the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, silky, and fresh with sweetness, energy, and touches of licorice, chocolate, mint, and black cherries. The finish, with its lift, and fruit is quite nice this vintage. The wine blends 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2029-2055. 92-94 Pts
2023 Rauzan-Gassies – Margaux – Freshness, flowers, ripe, fruits, soft-tannins, and a relaxed approach work well here. The wine is medium-bodied, with vibrancy in the fruits, and lift in the currant, chocolate, espresso, and licorice-filled finish. Drink from 2028-2043. 91-93 Pts
2023 Rauzan Segla – Margaux – Dark in color, the array of floral notes shoot out with violets, lilacs, and roses. From there you find truffle, red and black fruits, cigar box and cedar also come IT is It is the striking nose powered by violets, and lilacs that gets the wine going, before finding all the currants, black cherries, mint, and spice in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is lush, energetic, long, deep, and rich. There is purity, paired with opulence in the long, vibrant, velvet-textured finish, with just a hint of chalk that appears on the backend. The wine is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Once aging, this is a new, record-setting percentage of Cabernet in the blend. 14% Press wine. 13.5% ABV, 3.6 pH. The harvest took place September 7 – September 20. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. The Grand Vin was produced from 50% of the harvest. Drink from 2029-2065. 96-98 Pts
2023 Segla – Margaux – Spicy mint, cedar, tobacco, and black currant aromas focuses on what is to come. The palate offers its sweet, black cherries, smoke,, licorice, and spice easily. Soft, supple, and creamy, it is easy to see, this is going to be simply fabulous to enjoy on release while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine blends 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, setting a record for the highest proportion of Cabernet ever used in the blend. 13.5% ABV. Drink from 2026-2040. 91-93 Pts
2023 Siran – Margaux – Soft, lush, lifted, and vibrant, the red, and black fruits are sweet, ripe, juicy, and long. There is concentration, and energy here, with a silky edge to the ripe, polished berries in the finish. Drink from 2028-2045. 91-93 Pts
2023 Du Tertre – Margaux – Chocolate, cherries, flowers, espresso, and spearmint nuances shine on the nose. The palate is soft, fruity, fresh, and is not shy about already starting to let you enjoy its black, and red fruit-filled, creamy-textured charms. Drink from 2027-2045. 92-94 Pts
2023 Du Tertre Les Haut – Margaux – Cedar, tobacco, red berries, spice, and flower notes come through easily in the perfume and in the medium-bodied, bright, fresh, soft, spicy, palate. This will be easy to drink on release. Drink from 2026-2031.
2025 du Tertre Blanc – Vin de France – White peaches, flowers, mango, spice, and vanilla aromatics offer the charms easily. The palate is lush, fresh, round, and fruity, with a hint of vanilla, and white peach that comes in at the end of the finish. The wine blends 32% Sauvignon Blanc, 23% Chardonnay, 23% Gros Manseng, and 22% Viognier planted in 6 hectares of vines, making it slightly easier to find, now that the production has increased. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and barrel-aged in 70% new, French oak barrels. Drink from 2026-2030. 91 Pts
Up next, we cover all of the best 2023 Pessac Leognan Red and White Wines
