Red Pavilion - Château Margaux

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

Good deep red. Rather wild aromas of spicy cassis, scorched earth, minerals and truffle, plus a resiny nuance. Broad, lush and powerful for a second wine, with creamy dark berry, graphite and underbrush flavors of noteworthy intensity. I find more porcini than fresh fruit here, and the tannins are still youthfully chewy, but this is an impressive Pavillon Rouge.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

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. –JM

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

The second wine, the 2010 Pavillon Rouge (essentially two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot with small quantities and 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.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/8/2013

Bottled in June 2012, the Pavillon Rouge represents 38% of the total production. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it has a fragrant bouquet of black cherries, briary and crushed stone that is delicate and precise. I expect the aromatics to open up with bottle age. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, gliding across the palate on its super-fine tannins. It is exquisitely balanced, very pure with one of the most elegant finishes that I have encountered on a Pavillon at this stage. Wonderful. Coming back, there is a cheeky hint of black olive tapenade on the aftertaste. Tasted November 2012

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

This the greatest Pavillon Rouge ever made. Aromas of flowers, smoke, currants and raspberries follow through 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

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010 Pavillon Rouge: Actually higher in alcohol than its bigger sister, Chateau Margaux, the 2010 Pavillon Rouge (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot) hit 14% natural alcohol. Paul Pontallier proclaimed it the best they have ever made, representing only 38% of production. (This wine also undergoes a serious selection.) Plenty of black fruits, violets, forest floor and earth are present in this wonderfully textured, opulent wine, which will provide immediate gratification when it is released in a year. It should drink nicely for up to 15 or more years. Drink 2011-2026

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

the5/31/2011

Dunkles Granat. Feines, florales Bouquet, Rote Johannisbeeren und rote Pflaumen, eine zart füllige Süsse dahinter zeigend. Cremiger Gaumen mit weichen Konturen, die Säure ist wunderschön eingebettet, der Wein endet mit einer milchigen Kaffenote. Noch selten war der Pavillon Rouge so harmonisch von Beginn weg. Nur 38% der Ernte wurden für diesen Wein selektioniert, was nicht gut genug war, kam dem neuen Drittwein des Hauses zugute. Der ergab den besten Pavillon-Primeur rouge, den ich je degustiert habe. 2014-2028

Asian Palate

92-94 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

The 2010 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is a fairly deep ruby in colour, offering up aromas of dark berries, cedar and violets, all echoed on the intense and aromatic palate. This Pavillon has great length and depth of flavour, but is made in a big, dense style, reflecting what was an atypical vintage for Margaux, the growing conditions yielding a dense and massive style, with less perfume than 2009 but with very high, firm acidity.

Le Point

16,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Cerise, fruits noirs, mûre, élégant, velouté, garni, très beau fruit noir et sauvage, renforcé par l'acidité en finale, long, juteux, frais. Très joli fruit. O=2015 G=12 ans

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

A wine that shows a lovely finesse and beauty with orange peel, flowers, blueberries and raspberries. Full and super fine texture. It goes on for minutes. I love the refinement. Paul Pontailler says it’s the best Pavillon that he has ever made. Second wine of Margaux

Decanter Magazine

18 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/30/2011

Fragrant red fruit, almost silky/taffeta texture, beautiful length and perfect balance, the best Pavillon Rouge ever. Drink 2018-30. (18 points)

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Pavillon du Rouge Smoke, cassis, oak and violets, this wine combines delicate textures, with sweet, soft berries, black and red fruits and silky tannins make up this charming Margaux. 91-93 Pts

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2011

Rather dense and muscular, with a broad range of red and black fruits, roasted apple wood and red licorice flavors. Features an iron-packed finish, but with a velvety coating. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.