Chateau Margaux - Pavillon Rouge 2024

JAMES SUCKLING: "Good, pure fruit with scented violets, black cherries and some currants. Full-bodied and richer than most from the vintage, with lots of fresh, dusty tannins and impressive concentration. Fresh, pure, compact and long. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 11% merlot, 9% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot."

WEINWISSER: "77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11 % Merlot, 9 % Cabernet Franc, 3 % Petit Verdot, 30 hl/ha. Delikates, feinparfümiertes Bouquet, Iris- und Fliedernoten, dahinter frischer Johannisbeernektar. Am saftigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, feinsandigem Extrakt, stützendem Tanningerüst und mittlerem Körper. Im gebündelten aromatischen Finale rotbeerige Konturen, zarte Grafitnoten und körnige Adstringenz. Ein ernster Pavillon Rouge. Potenzialwertung."

ANSON: "High floral aromatics on the nose, marked by peony, white roses, lilac, chalky tannins, lovely purity of expression, complex aromatics that reflect berry fruits that are ripe without being heavy, with focus and precision. 3.62ph, 12.5% press wine, 30hl/h yield after sorting. Harvest September 23 to October 8. Less Merlot than usual both in Pavillon and in Margaux, and more Cabernet Franc (9%) in this, as a result of plantings a decade ago."

VINUM: "Rubinrot leuchtend; strahlend, frische, herrliche Frucht, Cassis, würzige Noten; fruchtbetont am Gaumen, knackig, zeigt Biss, bereits gut verpackte Tannine, aromatisch langanhaltend, mit einem fast schon Pinot-artigen Ausdruck; rotfruchtiges Finale. Finessenreich im Stil des 2021ers."

DECANTER: "Gorgeous violet purple rim. Sandalwood, cesar aromas with blue cherries and violets. Delicate aromas on the nose, softly floral and fruity. Clean and alive, such purity to the juice here, great acidity, gently presented but still with a softly chalky texture to the tannins. Clean and super polished. Expressive on the palate. You can feel the acidity for sure, but that’s what makes these wines so interesting. No mid palate drop, no dilution. Complete and charming. Salty blue cola, liquorice and graphite edges on the finish. Great. Less Merlot than usual because of mildew and more Cabernet Franc, the first time to have so much because of increased plantings. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 12.5% press. 3.63pH. 28% second wine."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubiongranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Nuancen von Gewürznellken, reife rote Herzkirschen, kandierte Mandarinenzesten, feinwürziger Touch. Straff, elegant, rotbeerig, frische Säurestruktur, lebendig und mineralisch, zitronig, ein Hauch von Preiselbeeren im Nachhall."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2024 Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge sports a healthy ruby/purple hue as well as some classic notes of red and blue fruits intermixed with graphite, tobacco leaf, and spicy wood. It's beautifully balanced, has present tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. This isn't a vintage for many second wines, but there's no denying the quality here."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple colored. Bursts from the glass with bold notes of black raspberries, kirsch, and red currant jelly, leading to suggestions of pencil lead, bay leaves, and damp soil. The light to medium-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, delivering very delicate, silky tannins and vibrant red berry flavors, finishing with a minerally lift."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Quite floral in nature, you also find ripe black cherries, plums, espresso, and a touch of tobacco wrapper in the aromatics. On the palate, the wine displays its charming character with ease. Medium-bodied, fresh, crisp, and juicy, with sweet black with red currants, and cherries with freshness, and vibrancy. The wine was made from blending 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. 12.9% ABV. Drink from 2027-2040."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Incorporating more Cabernet Franc (as recent plantings mature) and more Cabernet Sauvignon than usual, the 2024 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet cassis, red berries, vanilla pod and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and lively palate with good density, powdery tannins and lively acids. It checks in at 12.9% alcohol."