In the glass
Aroma: raspberries, plum, rose petals, sweet spice, cedar
Palate: cassis, refined tannins, racy acidity, elegantly concentrated, penetrating finish
Second wine of Chateau Margaux (1855 Premier Cru Classe), sharing the same subtle power and floral finesse as the grand vin while offering earlier accessibility.
What it pairs with
-
Magret de canard with cherry compote
Duck breast's richness and the sweet cherry reduction echo the wine's rose-petal florality and ripe cassis. -
Roast lamb rack with garlic and rosemary
The wine's Margaux-characteristic floral tannins complement herb-crusted lamb's mineral sweetness. -
Mushroom risotto with truffle oil
Earthy umami of mushroom and truffle find resonance in the wine's cedar-spice register. -
Hard aged cheese (Comté, aged Gruyère)
Crystalline nutty cheese sharpens Margaux's floral fruit and integrates the oak spice.
How to serve Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Magret de canard with cherry compote, Roast lamb rack with garlic and rosemary, Mushroom risotto with truffle oil. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The second wine concept at Château Margaux dates to the early 17th century, but Pavillon Rouge took its permanent name in 1908 and was relaunched in its current form in 1977 when the Mentzelopoulos family revived the estate. Around 30% of the harvest is allocated to Pavillon Rouge.
- 1908 — Name 'Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux' formally adopted
- 1977 — Pavillon Rouge relaunched alongside the estate revival under Mentzelopoulos
Facts
- Producer
- Château Margaux
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (18%), Petit Verdot (6%), Cabernet Franc (4%)
- Classification
- Margaux AOC
- Oak
- New French oak barrels, 18 months
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Production
- 192,000 bottles
- Price
- €90-180 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8-25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1906
Scores
- Wine Advocate 95 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
- Decanter 94 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux
What does Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux taste like?
On the nose, raspberries, plum, rose petals, sweet spice, cedar. On the palate, cassis, refined tannins, racy acidity, elegantly concentrated, penetrating finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Exquisite second wine of the most famous first growth, sharing the same subtle power and floral finesse as the grand vin while offering earlier accessibility.
When should I drink Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux?
Drink 8-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux?
Magret de canard with cherry compote is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roast lamb rack with garlic and rosemary and Mushroom risotto with truffle oil. Duck breast's richness and the sweet cherry reduction echo the wine's rose-petal florality and ripe cassis.
What grapes are in Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (18%), Petit Verdot (6%), Cabernet Franc (4%). The wine is classified as Margaux AOC.