Chateau Labegorce 2019
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James - Decanter
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Parker
Robert -
Spectator
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Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
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. Best after 2022.
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James Suckling
A creamy, refined red with currant and berry aromas and flavors. Hints of citrus and chocolate. Medium to full body with ripe, creamy tannins.
Barrel Sample: 91-92 -
Decanter
The largest of the Perrodo estates in Margaux, this is a little heavier set and muscular than the Marquis d'Alesme, extremely accomplished and majoring on coffee beans and tobacco alongside blackcurrant fruits. Enjoyable, a little less signature Margaux that its sibling property but this is a delicious gourmet-edged wine, and a brilliant (relatively) value choice in the appellation.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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. Best After 2021
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Wine Spectator
Alluring, offering velvety-textured plum and blackberry preserve flavors, laced with singed alder and tobacco hints. Shows a subtle tug of earth through the dark finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now.
Other Vintages
2022- Decanter
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Dunnuck
Jeb - Vinous
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Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
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Suckling
James
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Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Vinous
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Parker
Robert
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Enthusiast
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James - Decanter
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Robert -
Spectator
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Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
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Spectator
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Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
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Robert
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Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert - Decanter
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Spectator
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Enthusiast
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert - Decanter
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Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
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Suckling
James -
Spectator
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Parker
Robert -
Spectator
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Spectator
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Enthusiast
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The Labégorce vineyards include three main plots, totalling 70 hectares in all, although only approximately 40 hectares are fully planted up. All three plots lie in the northernmost part of the commune. The largest plot, accounting for about two-thirds, lies just northeast of the fine chateau, which was constructed by the renowned architect Courcelles. There is a second plot around the chateau itself, accounting for about a quarter of all the Labégorce vines, while the smallest plot lies a little further north around the church in Soussans. The vines average 30 years of age, with the oldest vines, of which there are just four hectares, dating from between 1902 and 1950. More date from 1951 to 1985, whereas a quarter date from 1989 when extensive replanting took place. Vineyard practices involve careful use of chemicals, with no herbicide used at all, and yields are typically 50 hl/ha. Harvesting is by hand, and fermentation begins with a short, cold maceration followed by a temperature controlled process. Each parcel of vines, of which there are many, is vinified separately. The blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak, 30% of which is new, where the wine spends up to fifteen months. It is fined using egg whites before bottling. The grand vin is Chateau Labégorce, and the second wine is Chateau Tour de Laroze. There is also a third wine, produced from a 4 hectare plot entitled to the Haut-Médoc appellation, called La Mouline de Labégorce
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Silky, seductive and polished are the words that characterize the best wines from Margaux, the most inland appellation of the Médoc on the Left Bank of Bordeaux.
Margaux’s gravel soils are the thinnest of the Médoc, making them most penetrable by vine roots—some reaching down over 23 feet for water. The best sites are said to be on gentle outcrops, or croupes, where more gravel facilitates good drainage.
The Left Bank of Bordeaux subscribes to an arguably outdated method of classification but it is nonetheless important in regards to history of the area. In 1855 the finest chateaux were deemed on the basis of reputation and trading price—at that time. In 1855, Chateau Margaux achieved first growth status, yet it has been Chateau Palmer (officially third growth from the 1855 classification) that has consistently outperformed others throughout the 20th century.
Chateau Margaux in top vintages is capable of producing red Cabernet Sauvignon based wines described as pure, intense, spell-binding, refined and profound with flavors and aromas of black currant, violets, roses, orange peel, black tea and incense.
Other top producers worthy of noting include Chateau Rauzan-Ségla, Lascombes, Brane-Cantenac, and d’Issan, among others.
The best wines of Margaux combine a deep ruby color with a polished structure, concentration and an unrivaled elegance.