René Renon
Château Charmant Margaux
Margaux, Bordeaux, France
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Bordeaux Blend
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
Approaching Peak: drinkable, but best years are ahead.
In May 2026, the 2019 Chateau Charmant Margaux is two years into its drinking window and showing beautifully. The wine opened for drinking in 2024, and the generous aromatics and well-integrated tannins that characterized the 2019 vintage have settled into a harmonious, expressive wine. The boysenberry and cassis fruit remains vivid and fresh, the oak and spice notes are thoroughly woven in, and the Margaux-typical aromatic finesse is on full display. This is a wine to enjoy now without hesitation through its peak window of 2027 to 2036. No extended aging is required, though it will hold comfortably through the peak window. A 30 to 45 minute decant will add aromatic breadth.
The ‘19 Château Charmant Margaux.
A fragrant, well-defined Margaux with boysenberry, cassis, and violet character from a superb 2019 vintage, drinking beautifully now.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Chateau Charmant is a small Margaux estate managed by Rene Renon, and the 2019 vintage captures everything that makes this celebrated appellation distinctive: aromatic florality, perfumed red fruit, and a finesse that speaks quietly but with conviction. The nose opens with a generous burst of boysenberry, cassis, and violet, followed quickly by wild red berries and fresh raspberry that give the wine an immediacy and brightness unusual for Margaux at this price level. Deeper exploration reveals black fruit, cherry eau-de-vie, and a ribbon of licorice that adds complexity beneath the primary fruit. There is chocolate warmth from the oak aging and a hint of toasted wood that weaves through the bouquet without asserting itself. On the palate the wine is medium to full-bodied with excellent definition and a polished texture. The tannins are finely resolved and the acidity is the classic Margaux brightness, giving the wine lift and freshness on the finish. The mid-palate delivers impressive balance between fruit richness, oak integration, and the appellation's characteristic aromatic finesse. A genuinely appealing, well-made Margaux that punches above its weight category.
The 2019 vintage
The 2019 Margaux vintage was exceptional, benefiting from the broadly outstanding growing conditions that characterized the entire Left Bank in that year. The warm, sunny summer produced beautifully ripe Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot while the Margaux terroir's fine gravelly soils retained freshness and aromatic precision that the warmer growing season could not suppress. The result was a vintage that combined the fruit generosity of the warm year with Margaux's inherent elegance, producing wines that are both immediately pleasurable and built for medium-term development.
About René Renon
Rene Renon produces Chateau Charmant from vineyards within the Margaux appellation, maintaining the estate's commitment to authentic appellation character at a more accessible price point than many of the classified estates in the region. The property demonstrates that Margaux's distinctive aromatic elegance and perfumed Cabernet expression are accessible across the appellation's full range of producers, not merely among the grand chateaux. The estate's approach emphasizes careful farming and traditional Bordeaux winemaking to let the appellation speak clearly through every bottle.
From the cellar: pair with
Roast duck breast with blackcurrant sauce
The wine's boysenberry and cassis character aligns naturally with dark berry sauces, while the duck's richness provides the weight the tannins and body require.
Lamb chops with rosemary and garlic
The aromatic florality of Margaux is a classic companion to herb-seasoned lamb, and the wine's refined tannins stand up without overpowering the meat.
Mushroom and truffle risotto
The wine's earthy undertones and licorice spice create a compelling pairing with truffle and mushroom, bridging the savory depth of the dish.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 16 to 18 degrees C (61 to 64 degrees F)
- Decanting
- Decant 30 to 45 minutes before serving to enhance the aromatic expression and soften the palate.
- Cellar Storage
- 12 to 14 degrees C (54 to 57 degrees F)
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Frequently Asked
Is the 2019 Chateau Charmant Margaux ready to drink?
Yes. The wine entered its drinking window in 2024 and is showing beautifully in 2026, with the peak window running from 2027 through 2036.
What grape varieties are used in this wine?
As a Margaux Bordeaux Blend, the wine is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and potentially small proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
How does Chateau Charmant compare to classified Margaux estates?
Chateau Charmant is not a classified estate but benefits from the same appellation terroir and growing conditions as the classified chateaux. It offers authentic Margaux character at a more accessible price point.
How long can I cellar this wine?
The peak window runs through 2036, with the hard decline around 2040. Enjoy it over the next ten years for the fullest expression.