Pavillon rouge - Margaux 2018

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 Pavillon Rouge is a powerful, brooding wine with huge fruit and equally imposing tannins. Time in the glass brings out elements of château Margaux finesse to balance things out. In 2018 the Pavillon has some lots that tend to go into the Grand Vin, but that were deemed too tannic for that wine.

Wine Advocate

93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

The 2018 Pavillon Rouge is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, with 14.5% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with vivacious scents of chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries and blackcurrant pastilles with suggestions of bay leaves, pencil lead, tapenade and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a generous amount of black fruit at the core with loads of earthy and savory accents and a soft, approachable frame, finishing long with an herbal lift. It is approachable now but should be a lot more expressive with a couple of years in bottle and drink nicely over the following 15 to 18 years or more.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

This cuvée has been in the running for the best second wine in the vintage for a number of years now, and I think it just might be there in 2018. The 2018 Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge checks in as 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, and it's no lightweight effort, revealing a dense purple color as well as gorgeous crème de cassis, black cherry, crushed violets, sandalwood, smoke tobacco, and incense. It's loaded with Château Margaux character, has medium to full-bodied richness, ample structure, and a great finish. I followed this bottle for multiple days and it only improved with air. Don't underestimate this second wine – it's incredibly impressive. Hide bottles for 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

Elegant, refined and aromatic with easy to find notes of flowers, smoked herbs, cigar box and ripe, red fruits. Medium-bodied, soft, fresh and silky, everything feels incredibly balanced on your palate. This is going to need 3-4 years of aging before it is ready to drink. The wine was made from blending 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc, 14.5%

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux was one of the final wines that I tasted during my lengthy round of tastings. Impressive from barrel, the bouquet is now resplendent, offering those almost boisterous red fruits, pomegranate and cranberry, with the violet element just toned down a little. The palate is still quite high-toned, the tannins showing more grip and sturdiness than before. Taut and linear, and there is plenty of freshness here, leading to a vibrant finish. Excellent.

Wine Spectator

93

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

A singed alder note frames a core of gently steeped plum and black currant flavors while smoldering tobacco, bay and warm earth hints fill in through the finish. Caressing in feel and seductive through the sneaky long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2034. 8,333 cases made. –JM

Falstaff

95

byPeter Moserthe1/29/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, violetter, tiefer Kern, zarte Ockerrandaufhellung. Zarte Nuancen von Nougat und Herzkirschen, Brom- und Heidelbeerkonfit, kandierte Orangenzesten und feine Edelholzwürze. Straff, reife schwarze Kirschenfrucht, feste, gut integrierte Tannine, mineralisch und elegant, zarte Kräuterwürze im Nachhall, bleibt sehr gut haften, die Tannine, waren die höchsten seit je und sind gut eingebunden und rund, schokoladiger Touch im Nachhall, sicheres Reife potenzial. (2020 – 2050)

Wine Spectator

93

byJames Molesworththe1/26/2021

A singed alder note frames a core of gently steeped plum and black currant flavors while smoldering tobacco, bay and warm earth hints fill in through the finish. Caressing in feel and seductive through the sneaky long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2034. 8,333 cases made. — JM

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe1/19/2021

Blackberry, plum, light earth and undergrowth on the nose. Citrus, too. It’s full-bodied with rich, chewy tannins that turn energetic, fine and tight on the finish. Lively acidity. Second wine of Margaux. A blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot, 9% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. Try after 2024.

Decanter.com

93

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

Vinous

92-94

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Pavillon Rouge represents 30% of the harvest. It offers intense red cherry, pomegranate, crushed violet petals and hints of iodine on the nose, which is high-toned but still well defined. The palate is very well balanced with silky-smooth tannins on the entry and a taut line of acidity that keeps everything in balance. I like the nascent energy of this Pavillon Rouge, and the seam of black pepper enlivening the finish. This has great potential.

WeinWisser

18

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Vinous

91-94

byAntonio Gallonithe5/1/2019

The 2018 Pavillon Rouge is absolutely gorgeous. Pliant, rich and enveloping, Pavillon Rouge is unusually deep in this vintage. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, tobacco, licorice and rose petal are all given an extra kick of textural resonance in the 2018. Dehydration at the end of the growing season concentrated the fruit, a phenomenon that was mostly felt in younger vines and parcels on gravel soils rather than clay. Even with all of its obvious richness, the 2018 has striking aromatic intensity and brilliance to round things out. Pavillon Rouge accounts for 30% of the harvest and is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

Representing roughly 30% of the total production and a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge is an incredibly elegant, juicy, and medium to full-bodied second wine that has fabulous purity in its cassis, violets, and floral aromas and flavors. It's silky, vibrant, and has sweet tannins, and just glides over the palate. This beautiful wine is already hard to resist and will keep for 15+ years.

Vinifera

93

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Le nez se distingue par sa fraîcheur, ses notes de fruits rouges, de framboise. Très belle attaque fruitée, dynamique, qui précède une bouche d'un style élancé, sans une once de lourdeur. Le tanin, légèrement poudré, relance la finale sans la dominer.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, the wine is composed of ripe red berries, flowers and cherry pipe tobacco nuances. Silky, refined and lifted, there is more volume, density and tannins than usual here with a gorgeous purity to the fruit. This is going to need 3-4 years of aging before it is ready to drink. The wine was made from blending 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. It is hard to believe this is a second wine, as it is better than any vintage of Margaux from the 60s and 70s and with some exceptions -- the 80s!

Wine Advocate

93-95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The 2018 Pavillon Rouge accounts for 30% of the crop this year. It is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, with 14.5% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it sings of crushed black and red currants, warm black berries and plum pudding with touches of fungi, cedar chest, truffles and smoked meats plus a fragrant undercurrent of fallen leaves and potpourri. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a solid backbone of fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness supporting the vibrant red and black fruits, finishing long.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

While there is density to this wine, it still manages to show an elegant edge. Its freshness is impeccable, with bright acidity and the modicum of tannins offering support to fine berry flavors.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

Fantastic depth of ripe fruit with currant and dark-berry aromas. Hints of citrus and dry earth. Full body and round, velvety tannins that are melted into the wine. Very intense and fruity.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

94

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Decanter.com

92

byJane Ansonthe4/1/2019

Richly coloured, almost inky, this is seductive and full of flavour with raspberry and brambled fruits that have texture and density. For me, this is far more similar to the 2009 than the 2010. It's an enjoyable Pavillon, all parts present and correct and well assembled, even if it's a little less supple and fragrant than in some years. A subtle closing in on the finish gives you a clue to how tannic this really is (82IPT, high for this estate). 3% Cabernet Franc makes up the blend, with 13% press wine. 60% new oak ageing.
Drinking Window 2024 - 2038

Yvesbeck.wine

92-94

byYves Beckthe4/1/2019

69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
30% de la récolte pour Pavillon Rouge en 2018. Pourpre violacé. Beaucoup de fraîcheur et de baies rouges. Je relève des effluves de framboises et une touche de cerises. Attaque friande et juteuse. Au palais le vin se distingue par son équilibre ; il est racé, fruité, crémeux et doté de tannins précis, compacts et bien intégrés. Un vin de caractère que l’on pourra déjà savourer dans sa jeunesse et qui a de quoi aller dans le temps. 2024-2043