Château Labegorce Margaux 2019

Fairly tannic but super cool and fresh too with cola and blueberry nuanced. Chewy but really juicy, an approachable fun and easy wine still with bite, tang, juiciness and tannic density. Very appealing still with bite. Not as dense and weight as some, but wow there's a lot to like; gorgeous acidity, textured and well defined tannins, lovely punchy fruit and a long length. Delicious, still with a minty, graphite and clove lift on the finish. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.6pH. Ageing in 40% new oak.

The 2022 Labegorce, which sees the introduction of Cabernet Franc, was picked 12 September to 5 October and aged in 40% new oak. This needs a little time to find its voice on the nose, touches of black pepper infusing the red and blueberry fruit. There is a hint of terracotta. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, tensile, expressive with a lightly spiced, gentle grip. Just a bit of dryness appears on the finish but that will round out during elevage. This will be an utterly charming Margaux.

Gorgeous notes of red, blue, and black fruits as well as sandalwood, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and spicy notes emerge from the 2019 Château Labégorce, one of the richer, more opulent, and straight-up sexy wines in the vintage. A blend of 46% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all raised in 40% new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, has beautifully integrated oak, a stacked mid-palate, and one heck of a great finish. Drink this rich, sensationally textured Margaux any time over the coming two decades. It's unquestionably in the same league as the 2015, 2016, and 2018.

The 2019 Labégorce has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of smoky berry fruit, cassis, incense and subtle hints of loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and lively, with good depth and ripe, gently chewy tannins, this is a fine effort.