John Bratincevic

9.5

Nose: old wood, tobacco, charcoal.

TASTE: awesome structure, cassis, pomegranate — old enough to have some of that “parchment” quality I associate with age. 95! — 25 days ago

Rufus King

9.4

Delightful Margaux with light cherry notes and and fine tannin, Bloom Brasserie, Dublin — 25 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Merlot (30%). Dark ruby color with a slight garnet/orange rim. Wine was quite tight upon opening so aeration was needed. Aromas of black fruit, graphite and purple flowers. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plums, black olives and tobacco. Distinct oaky note on the long and somewhat sharp finish. Medium-plus body and acidity. Balance was a bit off. Probably should have aged this one a bit longer. — a month ago

Gage Orion

9.6

Fantastic Margaux . One of my new favorites. Blueberry, some raspberry. So palatable. Fantastic with lamb. — 2 months ago

romo

9.4

Maturing beautifully with menthol, cigar leaf, spearmint and blackberry preserve. (Too) easy drinking. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium ruby garnet , quite thin garnet ruby rim . Quite rounded blackberry , cassis , red plum , violet, cedar and burnt embers . On the palate this is quite elegant and red fruited ,red plum , cherry , blackberry and hint of red currant . Quite rounded and generous , balanced acidity and suave , velvety tannins . Medium length , with slightly smoky red fruit finish . This is showing well now , and is the middle of its drinking window . Now and over the next 5 years or so — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

La Sirène de Giscours – Margaux 2015
Margaux, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Second label of the prestigious 3rd Growth Château Giscours, this cuvée shows how even secondary bottlings from classified estates can age with grace. The 2015 blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, delivering structure, elegance, and finesse in perfect harmony.

Aromas & Flavors
Vivid layers of ripe blackcurrant, raspberry, and plum glide alongside subtle cedar, tobacco, and floral spice. Delicate hints of earth and minerality frame the fruit beautifully.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with polished tannins, silky texture, and a seamless balance between freshness and maturity. The finish is long, refined, and quietly powerful.

Food Pairing
Versatile with roast lamb, duck breast, or aged Comté. It also complements charcuterie or hard cheeses in a more casual setting.

Verdict
An elegant Margaux that proves second labels are no afterthought. Still very much alive, refined, and balanced—an absolute pleasure to drink.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This wine reinforces my belief that second labels can often surprise and delight. The finesse and silkiness here rival many first labels—proof that patience rewards and that Margaux elegance never fails. — 2 months ago

Joaquin Martinez

8.9

Great wine but it needed more time to open up. Will try again and decant them — 16 days ago

romo

9.6

Impressively knit and proudly firm. A rare treat that is magically sound and correct. An ambivalence insists it has some years left. Scary. — a month ago

PM

9.3

Excellent 2004 vintage — a month ago

Henry Fuseler

9.1

9/2025. Nice nose. Full flavor. Sits well on the palate. Paired well with the dry aged rib eye at Halls Chophouse. — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2020 | — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château LaTour de Bessan – Margaux 2022
Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A cru bourgeois property in the heart of Margaux, LaTour de Bessan showcases the elegance and structure that define the Left Bank. The 2022 vintage, shaped by a warm growing season, highlights both concentration and finesse — a reminder of how Margaux balances power with perfume.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive cassis, black cherry, and blueberry meld with notes of cedar, graphite, and violet. Subtle hints of tobacco leaf and spice linger in the background, adding Bordeaux’s signature complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and a vibrant core of acidity. Silky yet structured, showing poise on the mid-palate and a lingering, refined finish. Built to age, but already offering glimpses of charm.

Food Pairings
Ideal with classic Bordeaux fare — roast lamb, duck breast, or beef tenderloin. Also pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes and aged cheeses like Comté.

Verdict
A stylish Margaux that balances depth with elegance. While the 2022 is still young, its aromatic lift and refined structure promise rewarding evolution over the next decade. A Left Bank classic in the making. 🍷cheers! — 2 months ago

romo

9.4

Delayed attack of raspberry and clove. The finest tannin coats the mouth. Yum. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

More rare than common for me to try a Margaux for the first time these days.

Had this with a French prepared sirloin at Kronenhalle in Zurich.

It’s in a good drinking window. Nice fruit & style. Balanced ripe fruits and nicely resolved earth.

Kronenhalle is a good restaurant, old school environment with a huge stellar art collection, including three Picasso’s. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Brio de Cantenac Brown – 2020
Margaux, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
Brio is the second wine of Château Cantenac Brown, offering a more accessible take on Margaux. This 2020 vintage is composed of 62% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Cabernet Franc, aged in French oak (25% new) to balance fruit, structure, and approachability. 
Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red fruits—raspberry, red currant—merge with cedar, baking spice, and subtle floral lift. Earthy and graphite tones bring depth.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full body, with soft but persistent tannins. The wine opens smoothly and finishes long with fruit and spice echoing.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb, duck breast, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses. Also pairs beautifully with charcuterie.

Verdict
A concentrated, value-driven Margaux that shows the pedigree of Cantenac Brown. The 2020 Brio balances power and elegance — drink now or cellar for 8–12 years. 🍷 cheers!

Did You Know? 📌
Second wines (like Brio) are often sourced from younger vines or lots not selected for the Grand Vin, yet in 2020 Cantenac Brown treated it with care: the blend leans more Merlot than the Grand Vin to give earlier approachability. — a month ago

Enebro Avila

9.5

Con los síntomas de un poco excesivo envejecimiento, pero en muy buen estado tras 43 años — a month ago

Michael Wehner

9.7

2016 complex and layered, drinkable now but better in 2030 — a month ago

with Margaret

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium lemon colour , white bright for its age . Quite reserved on the nose at first , with some lanolin , wet wool, wax , honied orange peel , touch of herbal spice . On the palate this is slightly rounder than expected , with lemon peel , hints of orange , honey and spiced apricot . Good acidity , balanced alcohol , quite textural . Medium length , slightly toasty , lightly honied lemon rind finish . Does feel like it has semillon in the blend , though it does not . Showing well still , this is at peak , though I wouldn’t leave it too much longer . A really good showing . — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Blason d’Issan – Margaux 2010
Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Second wine of Château d’Issan (a 3rd Growth Grand Cru Classé), this Margaux reflects the finesse and elegance of its prestigious sibling at a more approachable level. The 2010 vintage is composed of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot, delivering structure, freshness, and the signature grace of the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark red fruits, cassis, and plum supported by notes of cedar, graphite, and dried violets. Subtle earthy undertones round out the bouquet.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with silky tannins, still carrying freshness and vibrancy. The fruit remains integrated with a polished balance, showing that the wine has aged beautifully without losing Margaux’s hallmark delicacy.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roasted lamb, duck breast, or a classic beef tenderloin. Its elegance also pairs nicely with mushroom risotto or aged Comté.

The Verdict
A graceful, approachable Bordeaux that demonstrates how even the second labels from Margaux can age impressively. Still drinking beautifully today, with finesse and balance that embody the spirit of Margaux.

Personal Pick Highlight
One of my favorite “second labels” from Bordeaux — proof that patience rewards, as this bottle aged with remarkable elegance and still charms after more than a decade. Also, the 2010 vintage, a benchmark year in Bordeaux, lends added structure and longevity. Cheers! — 2 months ago