With 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 3 % Petit Verdot, the 2016 Pavillon Rouge from Chateau Margaux is deep garnet in color, with a touch of purple. It needs a fair bit of swirling to reveal notes of crushed black plums, black cherry preserves, and wild blueberries, followed by hints of unsmoked cigars, sandalwood, and dusty soil, with a waft of roses. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is so elegant, perfumed and energetic, featuring finely pixilated tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced.
Very concentrated and tannic Pavillon Rouge. Muscular. Full body and lots of intense fruit. Four-square.
This is beautifully fragrant, with the highest ever level of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Pavillon because the Merlots were not quite up to their usual high standard, and two plots that usually go into the grand vin were put into this instead. This has a taut structure, with black cherry and cassis from a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Clear, precise, complex black fruits and charcoal edging provide finesse to this very pretty and successful wine, although it will struggle to live up to the legendary 2015. The reds at Margaux finished up on 18th October after a full month of picking, one of the longest on record. The berries were smaller in size than last year, but there were more of them per vine, hence the higher yield that still achieves great concentration. Pavillon this year was 26% of the overall harvest, compared to 23% last year. 70IPT.
Drinking Window 2024-2040
16.5++
Quite bright cherry red rather than deep crimson. Great quality sandy tannins. Really zesty. But light and very aérien. Really lifted.
Drink 2022-2032
The second wine of Château Margaux is the 2016 Pavillon Rouge, a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot brought up in 60% new barrels. It too is incredibly classic, elegant, and finesse-driven, with textbook Margaux aromatics of cassis, ripe cherries, and spring flower, medium body, subtle background oak, and lively acidity. It has real class and is capable of 2-3 decades of longevity. Drink 2019-2049.
Fragrant and fresh the nose has floral charm. The start of the palate light with sweet black fruits in the middle velvet smooth. It is lighter at the back firmer and the finish is quite tight lacking a bit of length. 2025-37
Containing one of the highest ever percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon - it normally has 15- 20% less - this is a very fine, elegant, floral second wine with subtle red fruits, some aromatic spice, silky tannins and refined oak integration. 2022-20
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux (composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot) bursts forth with exuberant Morello cherries, black raspberries and cassis scents accented by touches of menthol, dark chocolate and garrigue plus a waft of tree bark. The palate is medium-bodied, very elegant, vivacious and fresh with satiny tannins and a nice long finish. Drink 2021-2039.
The 2016 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux contains the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon ever at 84%, with 13% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, representing 26% of the total harvest. Matured in 50-60% new oak, it has a very pure redcurrant and cranberry scented bouquet with a touch of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin on the entry, thanks to the high percentage of Cabernet, and it is saline in the mouth with a pinch of white pepper towards the finish. It will need three or four years in bottle. Drink 2021-2038.
