Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend

Chateau Siran was, at one point in time, designated one of the Cru Bourgeoise Exceptionnel. I’m not sure if it was politics or the classification was just too convoluted? Perhaps a bit of both? Regardless, I think they have since left the classification all together. That being said, things seem to be going just fine at the estate if this bottle is indicative.

Popped and poured into a Boa decanter about an hour prior to service. The 2020 pours a deep ruby with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, jalapeño pepper, pencil lead, tobacco, cedar chest, gravel, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with sneaky, medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with tart black fruit. The finish is long, dark and elegant, by Bordeaux standards. Drink now with patience (and a decant) through 2035+

1999 vintage. A blend of 54% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. A surprisingly good wine in a difficult vintage. Dark red with a slightly orange rim, looking rather young for its age. Cassis, leather, and spices.Good concentration and complexity, with still a lot of dark fruit, unexpectedly smooth tannin, and very good length. Abv. 13%.

2020 vintage. Another great Siran, less flamboyant than the extraordinary 2019, but a classic left bank Bordeaux of Cru Classé quality.

This wine represents! What a beautiful fruit forward red berry nose with brush, pine, and anise--red licorice. A bit hot, but all else melds beautifully into a perfect Margaux. I will rebuy this wine and redo the notes. Meanwhile, this is a winner!

93+ points

2019 vintage.

Expressive nose, blackberries, pencil lead, slate, dark, marzipan, dark chocolate. Tipicoty, well made, length.

2015 vintage. Second vintage consulted by Hubert de Boüard. A blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot. Textbook Margaux of Cru Classé quality. Refinement and depth with a serious soft tannic backbone and great length. Terrific value at 20 euros. Highly recommended.

Firm, unyielding, and closed, this will need another decade. After a few hours some currant fruit poked through, but at this point it’s mostly earth, iron/mineral, and herbal notes. Very classic/traditional, and will appeal to that set, but to me a high floor/low ceiling kind of wine.

Vintage 2008 - true to type Margaux, satin taste! With pasta porcini (eekhoorntjesbrood). #bordeaux #margaux

2016 vintage. While this estate has been in the hands of the same family since 1858, it is under the reigns of current owner Eduard Miailhe that Siran is showing its true potential. The vineyards are situated in Labarde, the Southern part of the Margaux appellation, surrounded by Crus Classés Dauzac, Prieuré- Lichine and Giscours. 2016 was the first vintage made by oenologist Marjolaine Defrance, with Hubert de Boüard (Château Angélus) as consultant since 2014. It's a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged for 12 months in French barriques (35% new). Obviously it's way too young to show its full potential, but it is a terrific effort, undoubtedly at Cru Classé level. Concentrated black fruit (cassis, cherries, blackberries), violets, licorice and a subtle touch of cedar wood. It displays classic Margaux elegance, complexity, impeccable balance and considerable length. At only 28 euros this is one of the finest values in Margaux that should drink well over the next 20 to 30 years.