2019 Marquis de Terme (Margaux)

The Sénéclauze family, with Ludovic David as director, are working extremely hard to refine and finesse the wines from this property and it is starting to show its full potential. This 2019 has tons of anthocyanes giving a rich purple colour, followed by liquorice, sage and baked blackberry aromatics on the nose that make the whole experience extremely welcoming. There`s austerity as the tannins pull things inwards through the palate with a trace of astringency on the finish, just the right level to suggest a good long life ahead. Impressed with the density and the crushed menthol on the finish. Tasted twice three weeks apart. 93 points

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Marquis de Terme slips sensuously out of the glass with notes of plum preserves, baked black cherries and blackcurrant pastilles plus wafts of cinnamon toast, allspice, underbrush and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers wonderful vivacity and freshness, with a firm, grainy texture framing the bright, pure black fruits, finishing earthy. 90-92 points

The 2019 Marquis de Terme has a crisp, slightly conservative bouquet at the moment, perfectly correct but maybe just needing more flair to stand out from the crowd. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins and well judged acidity. It feels a little compact at the moment but it should gain some fleshy by the time of bottling. Again, I would like to see more personality come through here, though I remain optimistic as second and third bottles evinced a more vivacious Margaux in the offing. 90-92 points

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample. Ripe and pure with a blueberry and cassis fragrance. Clean and fresh on attack and again purity in the mid-palate fruit. Tannins plentiful but no aggression. Builds to a firm, persistent finish. On a par with 2018. 16.5 points