Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2015

Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is the second wine of the renowned Chateau Margaux estate in Bordeaux, France. Chateau Margaux is one of the five Premier Grand Cru Classé estates in the Médoc, and is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest wine producers.

The Pavillon Rouge is made from grapes that come from the younger vines of the estate, as well as those from specific plots that don't quite make the cut for the first wine. The blend typically consists of around 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The wine is aged for around 18 months in French oak barrels, of which around 50% are new.

Pavillon Rouge was first produced in 1908, and has become increasingly popular in recent years as the quality of Bordeaux second wines has risen. It is known for its balance, finesse, and refined tannins, and is often considered one of the best second wines in Bordeaux.

While it can be enjoyed young, Pavillon Rouge also has excellent aging potential, with some vintages capable of improving for several decades in bottle.

"The 2015 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux, which represents just 23% of the total production this year, has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than other years, 74%, with 21% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It has a very refined bouquet, focused and extraordinarily pure with blackcurrant, blueberry and minerals. The 50% new oak is beautifully integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a little more masculine than I was expecting, a Pavillon with firm structure imparted by that higher proportion of Cabernet. But the freshness is ample and there is a long, satisfying graphite note that seems to last forever on the finish. What a great deuxième vin, a stunning Pavillon Rouge." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, Rating: 92-94

"The second wine of the estate is the 2015 Pavillon Rouge and its 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc raised in 60% new French oak. It’s a sensational wine in its own right, offering smokin’ good notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, toasted spices and ample minerality. Rich, full-bodied, opulent and concentrated with notable tannin, give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more." -Jeb Dunnuck (11/30/2017), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2022-2042