Chateau Marquis de Terme 2016

Chateau Marquis de Terme began life as part of the Rauzan estate. In 1762 the property was the dowry of Elizabeth de Ledoulx d’Emplet, who was to be married to François de Peguilhan, the Marquis de Terme. In 1886, Frederic Eschenhauer purchased the property. He kept it for a short time before selling to Jean Feuillerat in 1898. The property changed hands for the last time in 1935 when Pierre Seneclauze purchased the Chateau.

The 40 hectare vineyard of Chateau Marquis de Terme is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. Since 2017, they have been certified Organic.

Wine Spectator: 90
Warm in feel, with dark plum, cassis and cherry compote flavors forming the core. Generally open in feel, with light cocoa, tobacco and alder notes adding spine and texture to offset the tasty fruit.

Wine Advocate: 92
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the nose of the 2016 Marquis de Terme is earthy with damp soil and forest floor over a core of black and red currants, tobacco and bay leaves plus a waft of garrigue. The palate is medium-bodied, refreshing and softly textured with juicy fruit.

Decanter: 91
The firm tannins and fresh acidities of the vintage are fairly pronounced here at this stage. There are silky black fruits lying in wait underneath, but they're not expressive yet. It's a well constructed, confident wine, a reflection of the strides taken by this estate in recent years.

Wine Enthusiast: 92
This relatively little-known estate is now performing well. In this vintage the wine has gained weight as well as blackberry fruits and rich tannins. Its balance is already there and the wine should develop to be drunk by 2023.

Vinous: 93
The 2016 Marquis de Terme is a deep, luscious wine, just as it was at en primeur. Dark red cherry, spice, tobacco, licorice and floral notes fill out the wine's layered frame effortlessly. Plush, forward and racy, the 2016 offers quite a bit of immediacy and overall appeal.

James Suckling: 94
Impressive aromas of fresh summer berries, slate and toasty oak. This has a very succulent array of ripe red plums and berries and delivers a smooth, long and appealingly grainy edge of very plush, flavorful tannins. A lot to like here. A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Try from 2021.

Jeb Dunnuck: 91
The outstanding 2016 Château Marquis de Terme is an attractive, elegant wine that has classic Margaux character. Black cherry and blackberry fruits, hints of graphite and smoke earth, and plenty of tobacco leaf all emerge from this medium-bodied effort, which has some firm tannins and a great finish. Give bottles 3-4 years to let these tannins chill out, and it should drink beautifully for 15+ years.

Jeb Dunnuck: 91

The outstanding 2016 Château Marquis de Terme is an attractive, elegant wine that has classic Margaux character. Black cherry and blackberry fruits, hints of graphite and smoke earth, and plenty of tobacco leaf all emerge from this medium-bodied effort, which has some firm tannins and a great finish. Give bottles 3-4 years to let these tannins chill out, and it should drink beautifully for 15+ years.