Chateau Labegorce Margaux

Château Labégorce Margaux is a 750ml Left Bank Bordeaux red from the prestigious Margaux appellation, typically ranging from 12.5–14% ABV by vintage. The 2015 vintage earned 95 points from Wine Enthusiast, while the 2018 scored 93 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — placing this estate among the most overachieving properties in its class.
Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5–14% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Margaux, Bordeaux, France  |  Cru Bourgeois  |  Producer: Château Labégorce
Production & Heritage
Château Labégorce holds a singular place in Margaux history. The original estate was divided into three separate properties during the French Revolution; under the ownership of Hubert Perrodo, the final parcel — Labégorce Zédé — was acquired in 2005, reuniting the full vineyard for the first time in over two centuries. The typical blend runs approximately 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Vinification takes place in a combination of cement tanks and stainless steel vats, with malolactic fermentation completed in tank. The wine then ages for an average of 15 months in 25–40% new French oak barrels, a moderate proportion that preserves fruit purity while adding structural complexity.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: The nose opens with lifted floral notes before yielding to ripe cherries, blackberries, and dark plum. Deeper passes reveal sandalwood, smoked tobacco leaf, and a subtle earthy undertone characteristic of the Margaux appellation.
Taste: The entry is plush and velvety, with blackberry preserve and darker currant flavors building across the mid-palate. A structural mineral lift emerges alongside ripe red and blue fruit, keeping the richness focused. At peak intensity, layers of chocolate, spice, and singed alder add dimension without overwhelming the fruit core.
Finish: Medium to long, with silky tannins and a subtle tug of earth that anchors the dark berry fade. Tobacco and fresh earth linger with energy and precision.
How to Drink Labégorce Margaux
This Margaux is best served slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. Younger vintages benefit from 30–60 minutes of decanting to open the aromatics and soften the tannins; mature vintages can be enjoyed after a brief rest in the glass. While Labégorce drinks beautifully on its own, it also works in wine-forward pairings: alongside a grilled rack of lamb with herbes de Provence, a slow-braised beef short rib in red wine reduction, or a charcuterie board featuring aged Comté and duck rillettes.
Best For
Building a Bordeaux cellar with age-worthy bottles at an accessible entry point
Gifting a serious wine drinker who appreciates Left Bank Margaux elegance
Pairing with a special dinner of roasted lamb or prime beef
Exploring the Margaux appellation beyond classified growth price points
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Labégorce Margaux taste like? Labégorce Margaux delivers ripe dark fruit — blackberry, plum, and currant — woven with floral lift, tobacco, and earthy mineral notes. The texture is silky and medium to full-bodied, with polished tannins and a focused, lingering finish.
How does Labégorce Margaux compare to Château Marquis d’Alesme? Both estates are managed by the Perrodo family within the Margaux appellation, but Marquis d’Alesme holds Third Growth classified status and typically commands a higher price. Labégorce tends to emphasize ripe fruit generosity and approachability in its youth, while Marquis d’Alesme often leans more structured and tannic, reflecting its classified pedigree.
Is Labégorce Margaux good for cellaring? Yes — strong vintages like 2015, 2018, and 2019 have the tannic structure and fruit concentration to develop favorably over 10–20 years, though younger vintages also drink well within five years of release with proper decanting.
Where is Labégorce Margaux made? Château Labégorce is located in the Margaux appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, France. The estate’s reunited vineyard sits on gravelly soils typical of the commune, spanning parcels that were separated during the French Revolution and brought back together in 2005.
What foods pair well with Labégorce Margaux? Roasted rack of lamb highlights the wine’s herbal undertones and silky tannins. Grilled filet mignon with a peppercorn crust matches its dark fruit intensity. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Ossau-Iraty complement the earthy, tobacco-tinged finish. Duck confit with berry gastrique echoes the wine’s red and black fruit layers. Mushroom risotto with truffle oil aligns with its savory mineral character.
What sizes does Labégorce Margaux come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.
Is Labégorce Margaux worth the price? Labégorce positions as a high-value entry into the Margaux appellation, consistently scoring 90+ points from major critics at a fraction of the cost of nearby classified growths. It is widely regarded as one of the top-performing Cru Bourgeois estates in Bordeaux, making it a strong value proposition for drinkers seeking genuine Margaux character.
Why Labégorce Margaux?
Few Bordeaux estates carry the narrative weight of a vineyard literally pieced back together over centuries. The 2005 reunification of all three original Labégorce parcels gave the estate a contiguous terroir advantage that shows in the wine’s depth and complexity. Critical recognition has followed — the 95-point Wine Enthusiast score for 2015 and the 93-point Parker rating for 2018 affirm that Labégorce is not simply a value play, but a legitimate quality producer in a world-class appellation. For anyone exploring Margaux beyond the established classified growths, this estate stands as one of the most compelling discoveries on the Left Bank.