The Margaux appellation covers about 3,250 acres on five communes (Margaux, Soussans, Cantenac, Labarde and Arsac). It is situated about 15 miles north of Bordeaux. It is the southernmost of the village appellations in the Médoc. The soil is characterized by hillocks of fine garonne gravel. Margaux wines are generous, delicate and full of finesse. VINTAGE 1997 will be engraved on winegrowers' memories as an extremely early year, for the duration of the harvest and for the difficulty of deciding when to pick. With regular flowering at the end of May, it was two or three weeks early compared with a normal year. July and August were, however, not so perfect: a rather cold July delayed color change, a warm and relatively fine August, marred by a period of rain, led to a threat of mildew and botrytis which was controllable. The dry winds which ocurred at the end of the month and stayed for several weeks were extremely beneficial and stopped the rot. A magnificent hot and sunny September lasted until harvest, which took place under ideal conditions. The 1997 Margaux wines are fruity and attractive. WINEMAKING Barton & Guestier's winemaking strategy is to favor aromatic and tannic extraction in order to produce elegant, aromatic wines typical of the appellation. Harvesting at optimum maturity (possible thanks to the exceptional weather before and during harvest) and strict sorting of the grapes, have led to the making of wines which comply to our specifications. While alcoholic fermentation was carried out at high temperatures (86-90°F), daily pumping over a three week maceration period were still necessary. After the malolactic fermentation, the wines were aged for eight months in oak barrels before blending and bottling. WINEMAKER NOTES Deep purple color with violet hue. Aromas of black currant, cocoa and hints of vanilla. Long and full-bodied attack. Fine, elegant tannins. Deep flavors, and a pleasant vanilla finish.