The background that matters
Château Margaux was ranked a Premier Grand Cru Classé (First Growth) in the 1855 classification. Its 18th-century owner Joseph de Fumel held that only the gravel mounds of the Médoc could produce great wines. The 1855 ranking describes the estate, not the score of any single vintage.
Read it alongside this wine
For 2018 the blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, representing 36% of the crop, and the estate attributes its exceptionally high tannin levels largely to small berries and relatively low yields. The published review likewise records high tannin, body and alcohol, medium(+) acidity and a long finish, with the aromas still developing.
Try it with the review
In the review, separate tannin quantity from texture: does ‘high’ alone tell you whether the tannin feels coarse or fine? Then pick the observations that support ‘can drink now, has potential’ and explain them in one sentence without using the 1855 ranking as evidence.
Learning prompts are not guaranteed tasting results; distinguish producer facts from your observations.
Sources
- Château Margaux — 2018 Grand Vin du Château MargauxChecked 2026-10-06
- Château Margaux — The story of Château MargauxChecked 2026-10-06
