Château Margaux - Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2009

The production of a second wine probably goes back to the beginning of the XVII century because it is inseparable from the search for excellence which started at that time.

Sold under the name of “Château Margaux 2nd wine”, it took its permanent name of Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux in 1908. After an eclipse between the thirties and the mid-seventies, its production restarted on the arrival of André Mentzelopoulos in 1977 and at first greatly increased in order to improve the quality of the first wine. From the mid – 1990s, the creation of a third wine in its turn, allowed for a more and more rigorous selection for Pavillon Rouge. For a few years now, a third of the harvest has gone into the first wine, barely 30% into the Pavillon Rouge, and the remainder is divided between the third and fourth wines.

The quality of Pavillon Rouge has become very close to that of the first wine because all the plots involved contributed to the blending of Château Margaux not so long ago. Of course there isn’t the same complexity, the same depth, the same “magic” but the flavours are close and the balance in the mouth leads to the same subtle senses of power and softness. In general it is ready to drink a little earlier whilst retaining an excellent potential to age largely beyond 30 or 40 years.

A great bottle that is drinking beautiful. Make sure to decant for a few hours. 

In 2009 the harvesting was prolonged until October 14th, to allow the late plots to fully ripen. Despite continuing fine weather, some of them didn’t quite make it, probably because of severe lack of water in the soil. So we had to discard an unusually large proportion of the crop – around 23%. Some of these batches might have been kept for the second wine in a more typical vintage, but the potential of 2009 is awesome. Pavillon Rouge then only represents 41% of the crop.

Cabernet Sauvignon: 67%; Merlot: 29%; Petit Verdot: 4%: these proportions ensure a certain classicism of style although there is exceptional tannic power, even greater than that of Pavillon Rouge 2005. The high proportion of Cabernet has helped preserve a moderate alcoholic degree – barely 13.4. The real greatness of the 2009 however, is in how those concentrated tannins have been given amazing softness and delicacy. We have never known such wonderful balance. When to start drinking it? It is a difficult question to answer as the wine is already charming and delicious, but it has immense potential.

 "Very ripe for a second wine this is now delicious thanks to the rich blackberry and cassis fruit, full supple tannins and long finish that's simultaneously dry and creamy. Where is that porterhouse steak? Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)" - 95 Points, James Suckling

"This is an absolutely killer combination of vibrant, plush red fruits and finely-wrought tannins that are still working hard on the silky-smooth palate. With vibrant edging to the colour and a gorgeous, mouthwatering finish, this is a near-perfect Pavillon - ready to enjoy now but will go long. Great stuff, and bodes well for the rest of the vintage in Margaux. Drinking Window 2019 - 2036." - 93 Points, Decanter

"The 2009 Pavillon Rouge de Château Margaux has quite a Pauillac-inspired bouquet. Fresh and lively touches of pencil box and leather infuse the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, fresh and vibrant and conveying an irresistible sense of energy. It is not a deep or densely structured Margaux but it feels long and tender. Excellent. 13.9% alcohol. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting." - 93 Points, Antonio Galloni Vinous

Producer: Château Margaux

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Appellation: Margaux

Vintage: 2009

Size: 750ml