Chateau Margaux - Pavillon Rouge 2017

JAMES SUCKLING: „The quality of tannins in the Pavillon Rouge is really beautiful with extremely fine grain. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and silky. Racy and extended on the palate. Really pretty. Strength with elegance. Drink after 2022."

JEB DUNNUCK: „A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Pavillon Rouge is terrific, with lots of cassis and black raspberry fruit as well as notes of spice box, flowery incense, and graphite aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and silky on the palate, it has plenty of tannins as well as length and would pass for a top wine at most estates. Give it 2-4 years if you can, and it will offer lots of pleasure over the following 10-15 years (and probably longer)."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: „This medium-bodied wine, quite floral in nature, generates the perfect forum for the gently smoked, red fruits and pure cherry found on the nose and in the palate. The wine was made from blending 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: „A lush aroma to this ripe wine comes through on the palate, with ripe tannins that support the black-fruit flavors. It has an open structure, full of black-currant freshness and acidity. Drink this delicious wine from 2022."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: „The 2017 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with lively notes of crushed redcurrants, warm cassis and wild blueberries plus hints of cinnamon toast, dried roses and lavender with a waft of chocolate box. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lovely skip in its step with bags of bright, crunchy red and black fruits and a soft texture of finely grained tannins, finishing long and refreshing. This label accounts for 22% of Chateau Margaux's production."

DECANTER: „Firm yet fleshy fruits on the nose, this welcomes you in. The acidity is relatively high on the attack, more so than you usually find in this wine but it packs out with damson fruits, and a silky, sexy unfurling. It's not visibly trying too hard, it stretches out in the palate, spelling out the pleasure that will reward patience. A lighter framed vintage for sure, but this will deliver over the next five to 20 years. 10% lost to frost, but bigger issues were the cooler summer and some harvest rains. Bottled on July 2019, around 50% new oak. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend."