RELATIONSHIPS
The same label, across two vintages.
compare varietal proportions in the finished product
2021
Cabernet Sauvignon 87%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Petit Verdot 2%.
2022
Cabernet Sauvignon 92%, Merlot 6%, Cabernet Franc 2%.
This is a summary of the relationships explained in the main text. For details on grape composition and production conditions, please refer to the main text and official sources. Sources and reference materials
FIELD NOTE 01
Appellation, Château, Grand Vin
Margaux AOP is an appellation that stipulates the boundaries and production conditions. Château Margaux is a producer name and also the name of its flagship wine. The word 'Margaux' alone on a label does not mean that other châteaux within the same appellation make wines in the same way.
The two bottles for comparison are the Grand Vin of Château Margaux from 2021 and 2022. By keeping the producer and label the same and just changing the vintage, we can trace the impact of the year.
Basis for this section:INAO | AOP and AOC ↗ ／ Château Margaux | Vineyard Parcels ↗
FIELD NOTE 02
87% in 2021, 92% in 2022
In official documents, the final blend for 2021 is Cabernet Sauvignon 87%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Petit Verdot 2%. For 2022, it is 92%, 6%, and 2% respectively; Petit Verdot is not included.
Cabernet Sauvignon increased by five percentage points. The denominator for this figure is the finished Grand Vin blend, not the area of owned vineyards. Yields each year, parcel performance, and which wine the grapes go into all affect the ratio from the same vineyards.
Basis for this section:Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2021 ↗ ／ Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2022 ↗
FIELD NOTE 03
Harvest and extraction judgments in relation to weather
In 2021, pre-harvest rain posed a dilemma: wait for maturity, or harvest to avoid disease risk. The producer noted they chose to wait. In 2022, heat and drought were prominent, with red grape harvest from September 8th–27th. Even in a year of small berries, increasing extraction is not assumed to be optimal.
The producer explains attention to extraction in both years. Don't determine the amount or quality of tannin just from impressions of a cool or warm year. Also read how the producer responded to the fruit’s condition.
Basis for this section:Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2021 ↗ ／ Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2022 ↗
FIELD NOTE 04
The extent to which ratios can be used for inference.
It is also disclosed that the proportion selected for the Grand Vin is 36% of the 2021 harvest and 40% of the 2022 harvest. This figure is separate from varietal ratios and indicates the result of selection.
You can't conclude 'Because there's more Cabernet, the 2022 is definitely more tannic.' Fruit ripeness, extraction, and aging all change together. At tasting, separately record tannin strength and fineness, acidity, and the impression of ripe fruit, and compare with official weather/winemaking records.
Basis for this section:Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2021 ↗ ／ Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2022 ↗
FIELD NOTE 05
The amount that can be extracted versus the amount actually extracted
Not all components present in grapes are transferred to the finished wine. AWRI technical materials illustrate monitoring the amount of tannin extractable from raw grapes and adjusting maceration time and other factors accordingly. If the raw grapes have high levels, a short period of skin contact may suffice to obtain the required amount.
With this system in mind, you can understand why Margaux notes both small berries and extraction caution in 2022. However, there is no material stating that the château used the AWRI measurement method. Refer to this as general winemaking knowledge for distinguishing raw material from technique.
Basis for this section:AWRI｜Measurement of extractable tannins and winemaking decisions ↗ ／ Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2022 ↗
CASE STUDY / Learning from real-world examples
Align producers and check the denominator for your figures.
Blend ratio and adoption rate are separate figures. Switch the item you are viewing and consider the question below the diagram.
varietal proportions in the finished product
Château Margaux 2021
- Cabernet Sauvignon87%
- Merlot8%
- Cabernet Franc3%
- Petit Verdot2%
- Subject
- Grand Vin blend
Château Margaux 2022
- Cabernet Sauvignon92%
- Merlot6%
- Cabernet Franc2%
- Petit Verdot0%
- Subject
- Grand Vin blend
Cabernet increased by 5 points. Was the vineyard replanted at the same ratio?
Check your way of thinking
This graph shows the composition of finished wines. It does not show changes in planted area. The yield for each variety and which wines were selected as Grand Vin influence the ratios.
Adoption rate from harvest
2021
- Being selected for the Grand Vin
- 36% of the harvest
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- 87% of the finished product
Year 2022
- Being selected for the Grand Vin
- 40% of the harvest
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- 92% of the finished product
If you add 36% and 87%, does it become 123%?
Check your way of thinking
Cannot be added. 36% is the adoption rate from harvest to selection as Grand Vin; 87% is the varietal composition of the finished wine. The denominators differ. The quality ranking for the vintage is not determined by adoption rate alone.
Reference materials:Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2021 ↗ ／ Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2022 ↗
Neither provides evidence. The proportion in the final blend is different from planted area, and tannin is also related to fruit ripeness and extraction. First, check the denominator and review harvest, sorting, and winemaking records.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
The Cabernet proportion is 5 points higher in 2022. Does this suggest replanting of the vineyard or evidence of more pronounced tannins?
Read the explanation ＋
Neither provides evidence. The proportion in the final blend is different from planted area, and tannin is also related to fruit ripeness and extraction. First, check the denominator and review harvest, sorting, and winemaking records.
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View saved notes →Courses related to this question
What is being changed in blending →
Cabernet Sauvignon: Interpreting ripening and blend ratios →
Sources and reference materials
These are the reference materials for the main text. For details of production regulations, consult the current documents. For individual wine specifications, refer to materials for the relevant vintage.
- Château Margaux | Vineyard Parcels ↗
- Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2021 ↗
- Château Margaux | Grand Vin 2022 ↗
- INAO | AOP and AOC ↗
- AWRI｜Measurement of extractable tannins and winemaking decisions ↗