A brilliant offering from the Mentzelopoulos family, once again their gifted manager, Paul Pontallier, has produced an uncommonly concentrated, powerful 2009 Chateau Margaux made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Medocs, the alcohol here is actually lower (a modest 13.3%) than most of its siblings-. Abundant blueberry, cassis and acacia flower as well as hints of charcoal and forest floor aromas that are almost Burgundian in their complexity are followed by a wine displaying sweet, well-integrated tannins as well as a certain ethereal lightness despite the wine's overall size. Rich, round, generous and unusually approachable for such a young Margaux, this 2009 should drink well for 30-35+ years.

The 2009 Chateau Margaux is deep garnet in color and features wonderfully fragrant minted cassis, lilacs, Black Forest cake and oolong tea scents with touches of pencil shavings and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy frame with lovely freshness lifting the perfumed fruit to a very long, mineral-laced finish.

Understated in feel, but not for lack of depth or length, as this has beguiling and well-defined notes of black tea, sandalwood, singed vanilla bean and Kenya AA coffee, backed by gorgeously silky plum, blackberry and cassis fruit flavors. But the finish is so balanced, suave, gentle and long, it would be easy to overlook just how much range there is here. So be patient and let cellaring do its thing. Best from 2018 through 2035. -JM

(87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot) Fine black red, quite magical bouquet, pure quality of cashmere silkiness on the palate with a touch of fragrance from Cabernet Franc, blending softness of attack with pure density. A wine of stunning fragrance and purity, the most perfect expression imaginable of the greatest of Margaux vineyards.

Pure lush, sensual sexy textures leave your speechless. Powerful, yet light on its feet, everything is in balance and harmony Layers of opulent, silky, perfectly ripe fruits end with sensations of sweet, black cherries and chocolate that lingers for close to 60 seconds. If I had the money, I'd be all over this wine. I hope my richer friends buy this so I can taste it over the next several decades.