Margaux, Bordeaux, France · France
2019 René Renon Château Charmant Margaux
Rene Renon Chateau Charmant Margaux 2019 — boysenberry, cassis, and violet from a small equal-parts Merlot-Cabernet-Franc estate now drinking at peak with Margaux appellation elegance.
- Varietal
- Bordeaux Blend
- Vintage
- 2019
Drinking Window
In 2026: Approaching PeakDrinkable, but best years are ahead. Peak begins 2027.
Right now: In 2026, the Rene Renon Chateau Charmant Margaux 2019 is in its drinking window and approaching its projected peak, which runs from 2027 through 2036. The wine opened its window in 2024, and two years of open-window development have softened the tannins and deepened the aromatic complexity from the initially fruit-forward profile into something more layered and Margaux-typical. The violet and raspberry aromatics have integrated with the darker boysenberry and cassis foundation, and the chocolate and toasted wood notes from oak aging are now seamlessly woven into the fruit rather than standing apart. Opening a bottle in 2026 delivers genuine enjoyment; the best expression arrives from 2027 through 2032.
Tasting Note
Aromatic and well-defined on the nose, opening on fleshy boysenberry, cassis, violet, and raspberry with crushed wild red berries adding freshness. Secondary notes of black fruit, cherry eau-de-vie, licorice, chocolate, and toasted wood emerge with air, revealing the Margaux appellation's characteristic aromatic richness and perfume. The palate is balanced and polished, with the equal-proportion Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc blend contributing its own harmony — Merlot's generosity, Cabernet Sauvignon's structure, and Cabernet Franc's aromatic lift are each present and complementary. The finish has good definition and power without aggressive extraction.
About René Renon
Rene Renon Chateau Charmant is a small Margaux estate that distinguishes itself by blending Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc in roughly equal proportions — a more balanced three-way approach than the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends of most Margaux classified growths. This equal-parts philosophy gives the wine a perfumed aromatic profile driven by Cabernet Franc's floral lift alongside Merlot's generosity and Cabernet Sauvignon's structural backbone. The estate produces a limited quantity from parcels farmed on the appellation's characteristic fine-gravel soils, and the wines are aged in French oak with a proportion of new barrels sized to add complexity without dominating the fruit.
Food Pairings
Rack of lamb with Margaux-style herb crust and flageolet beans
Lamb's classic Margaux affinity is realized most elegantly with this equal-parts blend — the Cabernet Franc's aromatic lift complements the herb crust, the Merlot's body meets the lamb's fat, and the flageolet beans provide starch that integrates the tannin structure cleanly.
Beef fillet with truffle butter and asparagus
The wine's perfumed character and polished structure are ideally matched to the delicacy of a beef fillet with truffle — the truffle's earthy complexity echoes the wine's licorice and earth undertones without requiring the fat of a heavier cut.
Brie de Meaux with red fruit jam and crusty baguette
Brie's creamy, mushroom-ringed interior and gentle lactic acidity provide a soft complement to the wine's violet and cassis perfume, while the red fruit jam creates a direct bridge to the boysenberry and cherry eau-de-vie aromatics.
Service & Cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-65F (17-18C)
- Decanting
- In 2026, entering the peak window, decant 30 to 45 minutes. The equal-parts Merlot-Cabernet-Franc blend opens readily with air — the violet, boysenberry, and cherry aromatics come forward within 20 minutes, and the chocolate and toasted wood complexity emerges as the wine breathes. From 2027 at the height of its peak window, a simple 20-minute pour-and-wait is ideal.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
Frequently Asked
When is the best time to open the 2019 Rene Renon Chateau Charmant Margaux?
The wine is in its drinking window in 2026, with peak expression projected from 2027 through 2036. Opening now in 2026 delivers genuine enjoyment as the wine approaches its most complete phase — the tannins are integrating nicely and the aromatic complexity is fully developed. The most rewarding bottles will come from 2027 through 2032.
What makes the equal-parts Merlot-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc blend unusual for Margaux?
Most Margaux classified growths are Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, typically 60 to 80 percent, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc playing supporting roles. The equal-proportion approach at Chateau Charmant gives Cabernet Franc's aromatic lift and Merlot's generosity equal standing with the structural Cabernet Sauvignon backbone, resulting in a more perfumed, earlier-drinking style than most Margaux at this tier.
How does the Margaux appellation influence this wine's style?
Margaux's fine gravel soils drain rapidly and warm quickly, naturally favoring Cabernet Sauvignon's structural development while the appellation's distance from the Gironde moderates temperatures enough to preserve the floral, perfumed character that distinguishes Margaux from the more powerful Saint-Julien or Saint-Estephe. The combination produces wines of silk and definition that are the Medoc's most immediately alluring style.
How long should I decant this wine?
In 2026, 30 to 45 minutes is appropriate. The equal-parts blend opens generously with air — the violet, boysenberry, and cherry aromatics come forward quickly, and the chocolate and toasted wood complexity builds in the glass over time. From 2027 onward, 20 minutes is sufficient at peak form.
What food pairs best with this style of Margaux?
The wine's perfumed character, polished tannins, and equal-parts aromatic complexity pair naturally with elegant preparations: rack of lamb with herbs, beef fillet with truffle, or a ripe bloomy cheese. The Cabernet Franc component's floral lift makes this wine more herb-and-flower-preparation friendly than standard Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux.
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