How to understand Bordeaux wines - part 7 - summary of Margaux and the southern Medoc

As mentioned earlier, the Margaux appellation contains some of the best and most expensive wines in Bordeaux.  Typical characteristics of Margaux wines include well-structured, soft, silky, elegant, long-lasting, and exceptional aromas and taste.  Some of the best values come from estates that are just outside the official boundary of the Margaux appellation (see previous discussion of the Biturica Group).  Many of the wines from the petit chateaux retain the characteristics of Margaux wines without the exorbitant price tag.  The following wines have been discussed for this region:

$41 - Chateau du Tertre, Margaux (received 90 points from Robert Parker)

$39 - Chateau Cantemerle (received 90 points from Robert Parker)

$35 - Marquis de Terme, Margaux (received 88 points from Robert Parker)

$34 - Chateay Poujeaux (received 93 points from Robert Parker)

$33 - Chateau Potensac (received 90 points from Robert Parker)

$32 - Chateau Siran, Margaux (received 89 points from Robert Parker)

$31 - Chateau Senejac (received 88 points from Robert Parker)

$31 - Cambon la Pelouse (received 89 points from Robert Parker)

$30 - Chateau Belle-Vue (received 88 points from Robert Parker)

$30 - Chateau Mille Roses (received 87 points from Robert Parker)

$28 - Chateau Paloumey (received 87 points from Robert Parker)

$24 - Chateau Bolaire (received 88 points from Robert Parker)

From a Robert Parker points perspective, the best values appear to be Chateau Siran (Margaux) for $32 and Chateau Bolaire for $24.  Note that only the last wine, Chateau Bolaire, was under our normal $25 price limit.  However, I have found many of the above wines on sale with good discounts.

For example, I have purchased Mille Roses for $15 from K&L Wines, Belle-Vue for $13 from Bottle Barn, and Cambon la Pelouse for $18 from J.J. Buckley.  I consider all three of these purchases to be very high quality-to-price ratios for excellent wines.

From my own perspective, Margaux-type wines are my personal favorites of all Bordeaux wines.  If you're interested in value-priced wines that will age well, consider Senejac or Belle-Vue -- these wines have fairly high tannin levels and still need a couple years in the cellar (unless you're willing to decant and wait for a few hours before serving).  For wines that you can purchase on sale under $20, my personal favorites are Cambon la Pelouse and Mille Roses -- wonderful taste, aromas, texture, complexity, and silky elegance IMO.