Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2019 (750ml)

It was difficult to summarize in a few lines, the long and passionate history of the estate, it could be entitled “Once upon a time Château Margaux”.

Through the generations and through the centuries, the skillfulness of one and the innovations of others, progressively made Château Margaux into a wine of excellence; we only have to remember the progress made by Berlon at the very beginning of the XVIII century.

Berlon was the first to vinify the grapes and the white grapes separately. At that time, the vine stocks were mixed in the vineyard. He asked that the grapes should not be harvested at dawn “because the grapes were covered in dew and that, if they were harvested in the morning, their color was diluted and paled with excess humidity”. The beginnings of modern winemaking were appearing.

The quality of Pavillon Rouge has become very close to that of the first wine because all the plots involved contributed to the blending of Château Margaux not so long ago. Of course there isn’t the same complexity, the same depth, the same “magic” but the flavours are close and the balance in the mouth leads to the same subtle senses of power and softness. In general it is ready to drink a little earlier whilst retaining an excellent potential to age largely beyond 30 or 40 years.

The grapes used to produce the Pavillon Rouge 2019 were carefully selected and represent only 27% of the harvest. The wine has body with a soft tannin structure and is remarkably balanced on the palate. It would probably have formed an integral part of the assemblage of our Grands Vins two decades ago. In our vineyards and cellars, we make the same painstaking effort to produce the batches used for the Pavillon Rouge as we do for our Grand Vin. Both wines undoubtedly have the same style, and some of the same aromas. One almost indefinable detail is sometimes missing, which means the batch is not included in the composition of the Grand Vin.

Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc

Critical Acclaim

JS97
James Suckling
Succulent and gorgeous with such supple tannins, yet it’s full bodied and very rich. It’s very savory, too. Dense, yet polished on the palate, showing fresh, minerally and salty notes. You want to drink it already. 27% of the crop and a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot, the rest petit verdot and cabernet franc.
Barrel Sample:96-97
JD96
Jeb Dunnuck
Starting with the second wine of this great estate, the 2019 Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge reveals a saturated purple color as well as young, unevolved notes of blue and black fruits, unsmoked tobacco, chocolate, and spring flowers. It has a wonderful freshness and purity yet is still a rich, powerful wine. Full-bodied, concentrated yet seamless, it’s an incredible second wine and possibly the finest Pavillon Rouge I’ve tasted.
Barrel Sample: 94-96
WE96
Wine Enthusiast
This is a ripe, deliciously juicy wine that is balanced by plenty of structure and spice. The pure black currant fruits are already impressive, giving a fine line of freshness that’s allied with richness.
Barrel Sample: 94-96
RP95
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Given that Margaux’s second wine contains plenty of fruit that made it into the grand vin just a decade or two ago, great things are to be expected from this bottling. Yet I was nonetheless taken aback by the quality of the 2019 Pavillon Rouge. Wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries, plums and cherries mingled with rose petals and sweet spices, it’s medium to full-bodied, sensual and concentrated, with beautifully refined tannins, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish. This is an exquisite Pavillon Rouge that is well worth seeking out. I confess that I don’t buy many second wines, but I did purchase a case of this, with alacrity, right after tasting it. Best after 2025.

D94
Decanter
Packed with spice and fruit on the nose, this grips you and lifts off. A great mid palate with juicy, enrobed tannins and seductive fleshy fruit in the mouth. Makes you smile, enticingly creamy and yet with sappy slate on the finish. One of the best Pavillon Rouge for years. 27% of overall production in Pavillon. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.
Barrel Sample: 94
WS93
Wine Spectator

Delivers a gorgeous velvety mouthfeel, with cassis, warmed plum and blackberry preserve flavors infused with black tea and incense. Features a fresh minerality that echoes through the suave finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now