Chateau Marquis de Terme Margaux 2021
(Bordeaux, France) - [DM 93] [JS 93] [VM 91] [JD 91]

About the Winery:
The origins of this wine date back to the 15th century, and it was named in 1762 by François de Péguilhan, Marquis de Terme. The property was part of his wife's dowry, and Thomas Jefferson, the United States ambassador to France, praised it in his travel notes in 1787, placing it among his favorites.

Château Marquis de Terme was awarded the title of Fourth Grand Cru Classé in the prestigious 1855 classification. The Sénéclauze family has owned it since 1935. Located on a central plateau, its approximately 40 hectares of gravelly soils, typical of Margaux, are planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. The wines are aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new.

About this Wine:

Varietal Composition: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes:
The nose is complex, with notes of blackcurrant and blueberry. Spicy notes of white pepper, cedar, and menthol complete the bouquet.

On the palate, it is enchanting and elegant, with sweet flavors of fresh blackberries and cocoa. A touch of licorice adds complexity to the finish. The tannins are silky and delicate, and the acidity enhances the natural freshness. It is a seductive and perfectly balanced vintage waiting to be discovered.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Smells perfumed with curry leaf notes to the aromatic expression, vanilla, cherry, cola and toast. Bold and well formed, slightly more amplified than some of the others in terms of the fruit concentration, ripe blackcurrant and cool blue fruit that carries past the mid palate with fine grained tannins that are a touch fleshy and crushed velvet in texture. Ends a touch mineral and sombre but this has been well made with attention to the fruit maturity and ageing. I like this and has good potential for easy drinking." - Georgina Hindle (Dec 2023)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Good depth of dark currants and baking spices with chili chocolate and dark olives. Tight and fine-grained on the palate, providing nice structure from the nicely chewy tannins. Tight and pretty long. Drink from 2025." (Jan 2024)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Marquis de Terme showed well from barrel, and this bottle (the first to be opened at the château, no less) has a fresh and vibrant nose with well-defined black fruit intermixed with tobacco and graphite aromas. The palate is fresh and lively, with moderate weight. It's classical in style with a tobacco-infused, elegant finish. Black coffee hints appear on the aftertaste. This is a very commendable Margaux for the vintage. Tasted at the Marquis de Terme vertical." – Neal Martin (Oct 2024)

91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"This estate continues to make progress, and the 2021 Château Marquis De Terme is well worth seeking out. Ripe darker currants as well as tobacco leaf, iron, violets, and classy oak all show in its aromatics, and it hits the palate with a beautifully balanced, medium-bodied, elegant profile with fine-grained tannins. Older vintages have always had a rustic edge, but this is pure, polished, and seamless, with the class to offer pleasure today yet evolve for two decades if well stored. The blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot." (Apr 2024)