Margaux is an important appellation in the Haut-Medoc district of Bordeaux.
The name Margaux, in fact, is used in several ways. It refers to the village 15 miles (24 km) to the north of Bordeaux, around which are clustered a number of prestigious Chateaux. It refers to the wines which come from these wineries, and it refers to Chateau Margaux - the first growth winery famous for producing supple, fragrant red wine. And finally, it refers to the Appellation Controlee Margaux - the set of laws stipulating where, when and how wines must be made to earn the title AOC Margaux.
The Margaux appellation is, geographically speaking, the largest Medoc appellation. It covers the 'communes' (parishes) of Margaux, Cantenac, Soussans, Arsac and Labarde, with specific plots of land permitted and prohibited within each of these.
Land divisions are of vital importance in the Medoc as a whole, because of the value of what grows there. The location of a parish boundary or a small stream can make the difference between relative anonimity and long-lived global fame for wineries. In Saint-Julien, Saint-Estephe and Pauillac, the vineyards belonging to each Chateau are very clearly divided and consolidated in a single zone. In Margaux this is not the case. The vineyards here belonging to even the wealthier Chateaux are more widely dispersed and mixed in with those of their rivals. The result of this is that the effects of unique terroir are slightly more widely distributed, and thus diluted, in Margaux. Producers here create individuality through their own winemaking practices, and the choice of grape varieties, rather than relying on the qualities brought about by terroir.
Margaux is famous for producing well-rounded, supple and gently fragrant wines, predominantly from Cabernet-Sauvignon. The distinctive flavors and profile of these wines is often attributed to the soils here. There is a high gravel content in Margaux (where Pauillac and Saint-Estephe have slightly more clay), which leads to excellent drainage, and a low level of nutrients. Vines grow well in poor, loose, free-draining soil. The poorer the soil is, the deeper the vines must go to find water and nourishment. This makes them physically stronger, and also brings them to reflect the specific characteristics of the deeper soils. The downside is that Margaux's wines can seem almost too light and delicate in cool vintages.
The grapes permitted for use are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Carmenere, Petit Verdot and Malbec, and must come from vineyards planted to densities between 6,500 and 10,000 plants per hectare (2,631 and 4,048 per acre), with specified vine management techniques.
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