The 2020 Marquis de Terme is an impressive, classically styled Margaux combining ripe Cabernet fruit with floral elegance and polished structure. The final blend is reported around 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30–31% Merlot, with Petit Verdot and a small amount of Cabernet Franc.
Professional Ratings
| Critic |
Score |
| Jeb Dunnuck |
⭐ 94 |
| James Suckling |
94 |
| Decanter |
94 |
| Wine Enthusiast |
92–94 barrel sample |
| Vinous – Neal Martin |
93 |
| Wine Advocate |
92 |
| Wine Spectator |
92 |
| The Wine Independent |
92 |
The Michael’s Wine Cellar listing highlights 94 JD, 94 JS, 94 WE and 92 WA, while other sources confirm 94 Decanter, 93 Neal Martin/Vinous and 92 Wine Spectator.
Jeb Dunnuck – 94: Cassis, violet, chocolate and toasted spice lead into a medium-to-full-bodied wine with impressive purity, ultra-fine tannins and excellent length. Dunnuck considers it among the finest wines he has tasted from the estate.
James Suckling – 94: Graphite, blackcurrant and blackberry mingle with walnut and mint-chocolate nuances. Firm, polished tannins provide focus and persistence.
Decanter – 94: More floral and restrained, emphasizing rose, cool blue fruit and herbal nuances. The palate is sleek, fresh and refined, with excellent definition and persistence.
Wine Spectator – 92: A riper interpretation with boysenberry, blackberry and açaí complemented by sandalwood, black tea and violet, finishing broad and velvety.
Tasting Profile
Nose: Cassis, blackberry and black cherry with violet, graphite, cedar, cocoa, mint and toasted spice.
Palate: Medium-to-full bodied and concentrated, with ripe black fruit framed by fine, polished tannins and fresh acidity. Floral and graphite notes provide classic Margaux character, while cocoa and spice add richness.
Finish: Long, silky and savory, with lingering cassis, violet, graphite and spice.
Sommelier’s Take
The 2020 Marquis de Terme offers an attractive combination of Margaux elegance and modern richness. It has enough fruit to be enjoyable now with decanting, but its firm tannins and freshness favor further development; a strong window is roughly 2027–2045.
Winemaker Notes
Dark ruby. Complex, dense and expressive bouquet, on notes of blackcurrant, wall with a peppery tip. Yelled and creamy attack accompanied by a note of blackcurrant, cocoa and clove tip to enhance everything. The tannins are dense, powerful and coated. This joyful balance gives a very silky, delicate, fresh side.
