March 30, 2024 - Blind, Cab blend but softer led me to more Merlot, or perhaps outside Bordeaux. Slightly weaker showing than the bottle before, but something about the cold and rainy fruit pointed us to 76. Minty, light leather, high acidity, purple fruit, structure not as stubborn as its class. 92-93
March 14, 2022 - Interesting because I was 100% sure that this was a 1978 but the label says 1976 so I'm guessing the label is more correct than my memory. Perhaps would have reconsidered the pricing but so it goes and honestly this ended up being a lovely wine. As a friend said - you just have to give the Margaux time to wake up. It opened a bit more muted and less fruit and more earth and almost seemed a bit in the full out secondary style and yet with a few hours in the glass and some air this really came into its own and was just a wonderful wine and certainly a lovely pairing with peking duck. Margaux always a favorite and this didn't disappoint.
February 19, 2022 - A great wine considering its age and being from a so-so vintage. Everything is in perfect harmony and balance. There is nothing wrong with this wine, but I would have wished for some more fruit. This wine is surely in decline.
91-92 pts.
My seventh vintage of chateau Margaux: 1976, 1979, 1989, 2002, 2006, 2013 and 2014.
Pnp. Perfectly stored since release. Drink now.
July 8, 2020 - Bordeaux Left Bank First Growth BYO (Grand Hyatt Hong Kong): Not dead at all after hours of air. The herbal, minty and sweet qualities make it quite pleasant, almost like a port. Quite nice. 92-93
March 23, 2020 - Audouzed for about 5 hours (slow oxygenation method). The cork was soaked through but came out in one piece. Top shoulder fill. Good color, no browning. A distinguished and mature nose with tobacco, leather and a hint of red fruit. Supple, smooth but also rather simple on the palate. Acid-driven at this point. A bit thin, certainly the result of the rain that diluted the 1976 harvest. Altogether a good wine and above expectations, but it definitely lacks the complexity and the power to be a true great wine. Eclipsed by the Gruaud-Larose 1976 I have tasted recently.
February 2, 2020 - Well past its expiration date, the wine offers more on the earthy, cedar and tobacco stuffed nose, than on the light, bright, cherry, cranberry, earth and citrus filled palate. This needs to be drunk up.
February 9, 2018 - 20 Old Bordeaux grand cru classe - vertical (1955-1986) and horizontal semi blind wine tasting dinner (Fredriksberg): Definitely an outstanding wine but this evening overtaken by Latour and Mouton Rothschild '73
December 20, 2017 - drank Chateau Margaux 1976; 2007 Neal and 2007 Quintessa side by side over the evening with good wine friends. The Neal came out slightly ahead of the Margaux although a totally different taste. Unfortunately the Quintessa was slightly corked so it didn't fair well. I think all 3 are ready to drink now.
December 3, 2016 - A 40th Birthday Celebration (River North, Chicago IL): On death's door.
October 29, 2016 - a bit tired 10 years past, but still exuded Bordeaux character of faded tobacco , leather & umami notes