Pavillon Rouge 2010

Has clearly gained in elegance and polish, with only the alcohol slightly dominating on the finish. Despite its qualities, it is not, for us this year, a real alternative to Château Margaux.

The second wine, the 2010 Pavillon Rouge (essentially two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot with small quantities of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) looks to be a wine to age for 20 or more years, but it is quite drinkable already. Soft, supple and luscious, with oodles of blue and black fruits, the floral character one expects, and not a trace of herbaceousness, oak or aggressiveness, this is a beautiful, round, generous wine to drink over the next 18–20 years.

This is lovely, with a powerful backdrop of graphite and tar, harnessed by flavors of velvety plum, steeped fig and black currant preserves. The long, incense- and black tea–filled finish completes the seduction. Refined, defined and poised. Best from 2014 through 2025. 10,833 cases made.

A serious tone on the nose with inviting meaty, smoked black pepper and perfumed aromas. Succulent and supple on the palate, generous and full in the mouth yet also quite streamlined and linear. Lots of flavour but channelled in one straight line for now, with concentration and tension. This is extremely well structured with pristine focus, yet also a liveliness that makes it so enjoyable to taste. One that is giving pleasure now but will continue to age gracefully.

This is the greatest Pavillon Rouge ever made. Aromas of flowers, smoke, currants and raspberries lead to a full body, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. This is balanced and refined with wonderful depth. Hard to believe it's a second wine. Better after 2018.

Already drinking well, with its sensuous textures and layers of sweet, ripe fruits, the wine is clean, fresh, rich and even sexy. It’s amazing to consider, but this second wine of Margaux is better than any wine produced in the 1960’s, 1970’s and for several vintages made in the 80’s as well. In part, some of this is due to the creation of the new third wine, Margaux de Margaux, which affords this wine a much better selection.

Dark garnet. Fine, floral bouquet, red currants and red plums, showing a delicately rounded sweetness behind. Creamy palate with soft contours, the acidity is beautifully integrated, and the wine finishes with a milky coffee note. Rarely has Pavillon Rouge been so harmonious from the very start. Only 38% of the harvest was selected for this wine; what wasn’t good enough benefited the estate’s new third wine. This resulted in the best Pavillon-Primeur rouge I have ever tasted.

Dark garnet, fairly dense in the middle, with a ruby rim. Delicately floral bouquet, red currants and red plums, showing a gently rounded sweetness behind. Creamy palate with soft contours, the acidity is beautifully integrated, and the wine finishes with a milky coffee note. Rarely has Pavillon Rouge been so harmonious from the outset. There is, by the way, less quantity now, as part of the declassification is directed to the third wine. Only 38% of the harvest was selected for this wine. This resulted in the best Pavillon Rouge I have ever tasted at an en primeur tasting.

Dense and structured, this second wine from Château Margaux is magnificent. There are hints of bitter chocolate, along with tarry fruit. It is very textured, just hinting at extraction. The tannins are rounded and velvet-like in character. It's a wine for medium-term aging.