1996 Château Margaux

The Hidden Cellar is Grand Cru's exclusive wine club concept, specially designed for our most loyal customers. You automatically become a member if you regularly order from Grand Cru. As a Hidden Cellar member, you'll have first access to a selection of exceptionally rare wines: vintages, iconic Bordeaux appellations and Burgundies, Italian Super Tuscans, Napa Valley wines, and rare Champagne. We can offer these gems directly from the wineries at very attractive prices (well below market), often wines that are no longer available or unaffordable. So, the wines come directly from the wineries and haven't traveled halfway around the world in questionable circumstances. Discover all the benefits of this concept on the Hidden Cellar page .

Château Margaux and the history of an icon

Château Margaux is one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wineries and has been a Premier Grand Cru Classé since the 1855 classification. The estate's history dates back to the 16th century and is inextricably linked to the reputation of the Margaux appellation. Over the centuries, the château has built a unique reputation for finesse and elegance, often referred to as the most refined of all first vintages. Under the leadership of the Mentzelopoulos family, who have owned the estate since the 1970s, Margaux has been further modernized and now ranks among the absolute top in the world.

The terroir and grape varieties of Château Margaux

The estate boasts approximately 80 hectares of vineyards on deep gravel and gravel soils with exceptionally good drainage. This terroir is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, which forms the majority of the plantings here. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot are also used in the blend. The maritime climate, with the cooling influences of the Gironde estuary, allows the grapes to ripen perfectly without losing their crisp acidity. This gives Margaux wines their characteristic combination of power and elegance.

The harvest and vinification of the 1996 vintage

1996 was an exceptional year in the Médoc, especially for Cabernet Sauvignon. A cool and rainy August was followed by a sunny September, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. This resulted in wines with powerful tannins, intense concentration, and unprecedented ageing potential. At Château Margaux, the harvest was carefully hand-harvested, grape by grape, and vinified in temperature-controlled vats. The wine was then aged in French oak barriques, a high percentage of which was new, for added complexity and structure.

The taste profile of Château Margaux 1996

The 1996 Château Margaux reveals a deep ruby red in the glass, barely revealing its age. The nose presents a layered bouquet of cassis, blackcurrant, and plum, complemented by tobacco leaf, sweet spices, espresso, and a subtle earthiness. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, refined, and fleshy, with ripe, fused tannins. The balance between power and elegance is impressive, and the long finish lingers for minutes. This vintage is praised as one of the most expressive and accessible of the first vintages of 1996, with a harmonious structure now at its peak.

Storage potential and development

With nearly three decades of aging, the 1996 Château Margaux is a magnificent example of how a great Bordeaux develops. The wine is now in its prime: ready to drink, yet with a long cellaring window until at least 2040. This makes it particularly appealing to enthusiasts who want to enjoy it now, as well as to collectors and investors who value rare, perfectly developed bottles. As always with older vintages, it remains exciting to see how each individual bottle has developed, making each experience unique.

A wine for sommelier, consumer and investor

The 1996 Margaux is not only a wine for the connoisseur but also a valuable addition to top restaurants. For sommeliers, it offers an impressive pairing with classic dishes like tournedos Rossini, pigeon, or rack of lamb with rosemary. For private wine lovers, it's a unique opportunity to taste an iconic Premier Cru in its full maturity. For investors, the combination of rarity, high international esteem, and proven aging qualities makes this an attractive wine that will retain its value.

Shipping Hidden Cellar wine

We include Hidden Cellar wines with our regular orders, which are shipped approximately every two months. If you'd like to receive your wine faster, you can choose Express Delivery. In that case, the wine will be shipped directly, and you'll receive your order within 1-2 weeks. Please note: wines with the Hidden Cellar label must be ordered separately and cannot be combined with the other 4,500 wines in our regular selection.

Order Château Margaux 1996 from Grandcruwijnen

Château Margaux 1996 is a Premier Cru that ranks among Bordeaux's absolute highlights. Combining classic structure with exceptional elegance, this wine is ready to drink now but will continue to develop for decades to come. Available exclusively through the Hidden Cellar, directly from the winery, this is a unique opportunity for sommeliers, serious wine consumers, and investors to add a legendary Margaux to their collection.