Château Margaux Margaux 1998 1.5L

96 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc). Owner Corinne Menzelopoulos said of the 1998: 'We came very close to making a great vintage', because the excellent weather was just thrown off course by rain at the beginning of harvest. It might not have the perfection of the 2009 vintage (one of my six 100 point wines given in 2022 tastings), but it's hard to argue with the supple, balanced and effortless pleasure offered by this bottle. Expect white truffle, soy, undergrowth, raspberry leaf, saffron, cassis, turmeric, brambled autumnal fruit and a kick of orange peel giving focus and grip on the finish. 50% of crop in 1st wine. Paul Pontallier technical director, 100% new oak. Drink: 2022-2040. Alcohol 13.5%. (5/5/22)"

96 points (18/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2006).

96 points Wine & Spirits (Apr 2002).

95 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "The slightly lighter colour and developing aromas demonstrate that this is starting to mature. Still, the abundant blackcurrant fruit aromas are touched with mint and just a suggestion of cedar, gunflint and earth. The texture is still firm, but the tannins are smooth and supple, and the bright, fresh acidity leads to an impressively long finish. The wine is more about finesse, but it remains surprisingly youthful and should have a long life ahead of it. Drinking Window: 2023-2045. (7/19/23)"

95 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "A very beautiful vintage, expressing the incomparable personality of this terroir with strength, nobility, and precision. If you like notes of cedar, even ripe red bell pepper and pencil lead, you might just prefer it to the 2000. Drink: 2011 up to 2023. (2011)"

94 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "A deep garnet core with deep brick rim. The nose has moderate intensity, not the exuberance and exhilaration of the Haut-Brion, but expressive, with notes of blackberry, tar, a touch of leather and bilberry. What it does not have is Margaux's signature aroma of violets - this is more reserved and masculine. The palate is medium-bodied, quite peppery upon entry with good acidity and balance, yet missing the femininity and the finesse that marks out say the 1999 or the 2001. The finish is quite dry, perhaps a little dour compared to other Chateau Margaux. Tasted March 2008."

19/20 points Clive Coates (The Wines of Bordeaux): "Full colour. Closed-in, oaky nose. High quality. Lots of lovely plump fruit. Fullish body. Quite some tannin. Some from the oak. This is more backward than Latour. Underneath ripe, rich and classy. Very good grip. Long and vigorous. Very fine indeed. Drink: 2010-2030. (2004)"