Stylish and pure, the 2005 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is soft and round, with a deep ruby color, silky tannins, medium body and a lush, seductive mouthfeel. It is drinking well already and should continue to do so for another 8-10 years. Drink: 2015 - 2025.
Gorgeous aromas of ultraripe grapes with raspberries, minerals and hints of flowers. Full-bodied, with silky and juicy tannins. Long and flavorful. Chunky wine yet focused and structured.
Tasted blind. Racy and exciting. Lots of vigour and supple fruit. Very classy – though a note of coconut came in. Still quite a bit of tannin on the end, but it should all resolve itself pretty well.
Drink 2017-2040
Deeply fragrant, fleshy fruit from extraordinarily ripe Merlot grapes, terrific concentration and poise, lush for Margaux and very long. Drink 2010-20.
Came 73rd out of 184 wines
Margaux’s second wine gets better with each vintage. The 2005 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (200,000 bottles produced) is an equal part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a hefty alcohol content. Fleshy, opulent, and nearly decadent, with terrific fruit, a creamy texture, and supple tannin, it can be enjoyed over the next 12-15+ years.
As I indicated last year, administrator Paul Pontallier, along with the owners, has made a concerted effort to upgrade the quality of Chateau Margaux’s second wine, which now represents nearly 200,000 bottles. The 2005 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (primarily equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a small dollop of Petit Verdot) is actually higher in alcohol (14%) than its big sibling. Although not as complex as that wine, it is an intense, fleshy, silky-textured, opulent, rich effort boasting terrific purity as well as sweet fruit and tannin. A sleeper selection, it will provide immense enjoyment for 15 or more years.
The best second wine yet made by Chateau Margaux is undoubtedly the 2005 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux, a blend of nearly 50% Merlot and the rest primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Petit Verdot. Extremely rich in color, flesh, fruit, and glycerin, this amazingly opulent, full-bodied effort tips the scales at 14% alcohol ... a full degree higher than its grander sibling. Serious consumers should consider purchasing this gorgeous offering as it is probably better than just about any Chateau Margaux produced between 1963 and 1977. It should drink well for 15 or more years.
Very dark. Lively, nervy nose with lots of fresh fruit and still a hint of oak but there is some real core of fruit here. Should come right in the end. Tannins on the finish are dry not drying
Deep crimson. Glowing with health. Quite zesty nose, broad and ripe. Very seductive ripeness with lovely polished tannins. Good balance of acidity with velvety tannins and ripe fruit. Firm, sandy tannins on the finish. Some slight heat on the finish - just like Alter Ego de Palmer. Fourteen per cent alcohol. (Merlot reached unheard-of levels 13.7-15.5% - and the blend here is almost half Merlot). Drink 2015-25
