2020 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux

Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 5%, Cabernet Franc 2%.

Although the overall production at Ch. Margaux is down about a quarter, the proportion of Pavillon Rouge is up slightly (31% of production). Aurélien Valance feels this is indicative of the quality, that even more of the harvest than usual was up to the mark for this cuvée. The bouquet is more accented in crunchy red fruit than the grand vin, and the tannins feel more pronounced. But the ineffable polish and grace of Ch. Margaux remains fundamentally woven into the wine’s persona. This is elegant and perhaps a little more open-textured than the ’19, but there’s still sufficient tension to leave the wine irresistible.

Drink 2028 - 2045

Berry Bros. & Rudd