Pavillon rouge - Margaux 2015

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe7/10/2019

The 2015 Pavillon Rouge de Margaux has a detailed, wonderfully focused bouquet of violet-infused black fruit, sublime mineralité and real sophistication; the oak is seamlessly integrated. The very well-balanced palate offers filigreed tannin and layers of sweet black cherry and cassis fruit that segue into a tensile, mineral-driven finish. Pure joy, pure class. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Wine Advocate

93

byNeal Martinthe3/2/2018

The 2015 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux, which represents just 23% of the total production, was quite open on the nose, leaning more toward the red side of the fruit spectrum rather than black with scents of cranberry, wild strawberry, blueberry and a touch of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit. This is a little firmer and more structured than I was anticipating, its backbone derived from the higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (74%) than in previous vintages. As such, do not be deceived by the aromatics, because this Pavillon Rouge will deserve 3 or 4 years in bottle for those tannins to soften, but there is certainly very good potential here. Anticipated maturity: 2021 - 2035.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe2/27/2018

The 2015 Pavillon Rouge is supremely inviting. Silky and medium in body, with wonderfully fragrant aromatics, the 2015 is a wine of total seduction. Bright red plum, mint, spice, cedar and white pepper are laced together in a racy wine endowed with terrific palate intensity and persistence. The 2015 is already quite open and delicious. I imagine it will continue to drink beautifully for the next 15-20 years or more.

Wine Advocate

92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe2/22/2018

Blended of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and an expressive, alluringly spicy nose of cloves, cinnamon stick and fenugreek with a core of red and black currants, black cherries and wild blueberries plus a waft of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied with very fine, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, it finishes long and satisfying.

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe2/15/2018

Really lush and warm, with velvety layers of fig, currant and blackberry preserves rolling through, picking up light alder, mesquite and tar notes for bass, while flashing light violet and black tea hints for lift. The long finish shows beautiful flow, with ample depth in reserve. Best from 2022 through 2040. 8,333 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

96

byJames Sucklingthe2/12/2018

This is very tight and compacted with a condensed palate of currant and dark-berry character. A salty and mineral undertone to the wine. Full body and firm and linear tannins. Focused and intense. Long and precise on the finish. This is the best ever second wine of Margaux. Drink after 2023.

Decanter.com

93

byJane Ansonthe1/26/2018

As you would expect with such a standout vintage for the appellation, the Pavillon de Margaux is an utterly delicious entry to its standout elder sibling. Rich, nuanced, bright and fresh, with tannins that are flexible enough to feel them beating, and juicy crushed raspberry fruits that are perfectly ripe. An exceptional wine, second or otherwise. 23% of production. Bottled July 2017.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

Cherries, anise, tobacco and cigar box notes rise amid a floral background to create an incredibly elegant, refined, fresh, long and sweet wine. Lift, purity of fruit, substance and length make this the best vintage of Pavillon Rouge I have ever tasted -- a testament to Paul Pontallier. The wine was produced from a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.% alcohol with pH of 3.67. Of the harvest, 23% was used for Pavillon Rouge du Margaux.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

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.

Decanter.com

93

bySteven Spurrierthe4/27/2016

Wonderfully floral nose, beautiful texture and pure natural vineyard extraction that shows the feminine side of Margaux to perfection. Slightly austere tannins now but a fine future. The team think this is the best Pavillon Rouge they have ever made. 2021-2035

Vinous

90-93

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

The 2015 Pavillon Rouge is lovely. Open-knit, gracious and seductive, the 2015 offers striking palate presence and nuance. Exotic flower and a dash of white pepper add aromatic lift in a silky wine that shows the pure class of Margaux and Château Margaux. The 2015 is a striking, precise wine endowed with real class through and through. Approximately 26% of the crop went into the Pavillon Rouge.

timatkin.com

94

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/20/2016

Ma meilleure note donnée à ce cru en primeur à égalité avec le 2010.Couleur intense et belle. Nez très parfumé, mais aussi profond. Bouche au toucher magique, au fruitéresplendissant, à la texture raffinée, à l'équilibre subtil. Oh quelle envie d'avaler ! Bravo ! Voici le Pavillonrouge le plus délicat que je connaisse, le plus profond aussi. L'élevage pourrait le grandir encore.Assemblage : 74 % cabernet sauvignon, 21 % merlot, 1 % cabernet franc, 4 % petit verdot. Degréd'alcool : 14°. Sélection 23 % du volume.

Wine Enthusiast

93-95

byRoger Vossthe4/15/2016

Barrel Sample. With a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a seriously structured wine. It is ripe with a shot of fine acidity and tannins that give the wine great shape and freshness. The structure is what will give this wine its longevity. 94 points

Jancis Robinson

17,5

byJancis Robinsonthe4/15/2016

74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Big change in the blend - far more Cabernet than there used to be. Very beautifully integrated on the nose. Still quite structured on the palate. Quite ambitious. This really is the sort of wine that would have been Ch Margaux in the 1980s. Excellent freshness and length. Not at all like a second wine. Great lift towards the end. 14% Drink 2024-2040

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

Shows incredible depth and power with near perfect Margaux character of black fruits and power. Full body, very tannic yet polished and refined. It’s like the gran vin but in a year like 2006 or 2007. Best ever.