Pavillon Rouge 2001

Fresh and floral, with hints of berries and vanilla. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. Refined. Best after 2007. 20,000 cases made.

02: Around half of the harvest was downgraded to the second wine: a spicy bouquet threaded with floral Cabernet aromas, slight inky nuances, clove tones, and at its core a peppery, racy note. A slender, elegant palate with plenty of licorice and a noble, fine bitterness within a medium-dense extract; the expression, shaped by Cabernet’s presence, comes across a bit cool yet remains fairly persistent. 04: We showed the wine on my Germany tour, and I was surprised by the color, which currently seems darker to me than Margaux itself. The bouquet feels almost a touch compote-like at the top and, lower down, laced with red, just-ripe berries. The acidity is already quite soft, so this charming second wine can be enjoyed now. 16/20 drink – 2013

Excellent balance along with copious quantities of sweet black cherry and cassis fruit are found in the 2001 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux. Light to medium-bodied, with a style similar to its bigger sister, but neither the concentration nor length, it should be enjoyed over the next 7-8 years.