Description

The second wine of First Growth Chateau Margaux. The first official vintage for Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux was in 1906. It came about because the vineyards had to be replanted after phylloxera and the young vines did not produce the level of grapes needed to make a First Growth quality. Currently Pavillon Rouge sits proudly as the second wine to the Grand Vin. There are Third and Fourth wines that means Pavillon Rouge is now a great wine in its own right, just without the magic you get from drinking a First Growth.

“Margaux’s second wine, the 2004 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux, may turn out to be outstanding. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by fleshy notes of black currants, cherries, smoke, earth, and spring flowers. Lovely, ripe, and opulent, it is best consumed during its first 10-15 years of life.” Score: 89 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (171), June 2007

Margaux 

One of the largest appellations and therefore one of the most mixed in quality each year. The Margaux wines tend to be more restrained, mineral and aromatic than the Medoc wines but they don’t achieve the plushness of the Right Bank despite Merlot often being a major player in the wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The noble variety of Bordeaux’s left bank. Firm tannins, a streak of acidity and punctuated by flavours of cassis, violets, spice and leather. The best examples can age for the long term. Although Cabernet does often require blending with Merlot, Cabernet Franc or Shiraz to fix the hole it has in its middle palate.

Merlot

It gets a tough time most of the places it is grown. But in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion Merlot not only dominates but makes some of the best wines in the world. Perfume, silky and plush. Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon season the wines with structure and acid but in some places, like Petrus they are almost not needed.

2004

A classic Bordeaux vintage. A bit of variability in quality across the region so picking good producers is a must. But in general the wines are elegant, austere, savoury and outstanding value. They will not age as long as great vintages, but they will offers a lot of joy.