Chateau Margaux   Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux

2011 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux

By Chateau Margaux

2011 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux from Chateau Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux

The 2011 vintage in Bordeaux was one that threw a curve ball to vinegrowers and winemakers alike. Chateau Margaux, with its illustrious pedigree, accepted the challenge and emerged with a second wine that intriguingly captures the essence of the year. The 2011 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux reveals the adaptive artistry of the estate amidst climatic capriciousness.

 

A Snapshot of Complexity in a Transitory Year

The weather patterns of 2011 in Bordeaux were far from straightforward – a precocious flowering period followed by an unpredictable summer yielded fruit with a patchwork of ripeness levels. Yet here, in your glass, resides a testament to the meticulous selection process at Chateau Margaux. This wine is an assemblage crafted to underscore finesse over power, mirroring somewhat the air of its grander sibling but singing its own chorus.

 

A Vintage of Precision and Elegance

The 2011 Pavillon Rouge from Chateau Margaux exudes a quiet confidence, born from a vintage which necessitated precision viticulture. On tasting, it presents an embroidered tapestry of blackcurrant and fresh pencil shavings – a nod to both varietal purity and discerning oak integration. Tannins are taut yet ripe, sequestering ample freshness to suggest that this vintage resides comfortably in the cellars of collectors and investors, unfurling its complexity over time.

Within the investment landscape, finding a Bordeaux that balances immediate appeal with potential longevity is noteworthy. The pertinence of the 2011 Pavillon Rouge in this regard stems from its assertive structure coupled with immediate charm – elements that dovetail neatly within the narrative of fine wine investment.

In conclusion, the 2011 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is a reflection of an estate's resilience against nature's fluctuating canvas. It stands as an exemplar of adroit winemaking in challenging conditions - delivering a drinking experience that both honours and exceeds expectations set by its birth year. For investors and enthusiasts alike, this second wine offers an approachable riddle; one that reveals layers as it slowly evolves in bottle.

Current market price

$2,720.00

12x75cl

Highest score

90

POP score

163

Scores and tasting notes

89-91

The Pavillon Rouge is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It has a very fine, elegant bouquet with blackberry, briary, black olive and a strong mineral content. It is finely focused, but not potent. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, tensile tannins on the entry and a core of brine-tinged black fruit. It errs towards a more masculine Pavillon than feminine, prioritizes focus over flamboyance with a tightly-wound, citric finish. This is very fine, but it will need two or three years in bottle. Tasted April 2012.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2012

89

A wine with firm tannins and fresh fruit such as currants. Spicy. Full to medium body with firm, mineral tannins. It shows a salty, savory, citrus character. Lacks a bit in the middle palate. Try in 2017.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, February 19th 2014

89

The delicious, sexy 2011 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux reveals a dense ruby/purple color along with broad, expansive red and black fruit, flower and spice notes. Supple and round with finesse, elegance, complexity and richness, it is everything a second wine should be. Enjoy it over the next 15+ years.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2014

Vintage performance