| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Bordeaux (White) |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
This is the dry white wine of Château Margaux, made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc in 11 hecatres of vines. Less than 1,000 cases are produced annually. Recently the bottle has changed to dark glass in order to aid the ageing and stability of the wine and diam corks have been used since 2017. Since 2022 there has been a second wine produced (which is not sold en primeur)
Picked only in the mornings in the last week of August, only 45% of the crop will make it to Pavillon Blanc. Ageing in 25% new oak and 50% in larger demi-muids. It will be bottled early in June 2024.
The 2023 Pavillon Blanc from Château Margaux, harvested during the morning hours of the August 23-30 heatwave, possesses a deep, complex bouquet of spring flowers, lemon oil, ripe orchard fruits, lemongrass and sweet gooseberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and concentrated palate that's animated by lively acids, concluding with a long, taut, delicately phenolic finish. This bottling amounts to only 45% of the entire crop, the rest being relegated to a second wine.
The 2023 Pavillon Blanc was picked from August 23 to 30 during the heat wave, so the fruit was picked only in the morning. The yield clocked in at 37hL/ha. It has a crisp nose with green apples, nettle and grass clippings, perhaps not as complex as I expected. The palate is well balanced with touches of melon and orange rind on the entry. Modest in depth and quite fresh with a touch of lemongrass, it is a fine and comparatively opulent Pavillon Blanc, even if I would not place it on the mantelpiece with the great vintages in recent years.
Silvery pale lemon colour in the glass. The nose is intense and airy, all high tone lemon blossom, lemongrass, yuzu and passion flower. There is a subtle savoury spice in the background, but it is already superbly integrated into the fruit. This is also the case on the palate, which is streamlined but not lightweight. Intense yuzu, lemon oil and and struck flint. There is a deceptive leesy suppleness hidden underneath the fruit and energetic acids, adding another layer to this fine example of white Bordeaux. An excellent effort.
This is quite a big Pavillon Blanc with sliced pineapple, ripe apple, lemon and stone. It's full-bodied, layered and phenolic with a ripe sense to it, but then it’s citrusy and salty. Like fresh oysters. Reminds me of vintages from the 1980s, but with more freshness and clarity. 100% sauvignon blanc.
The 2023 Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of fresh grapefruit, pineapple, and white peaches leading to hints of honeysuckle, orange blossom, and coriander seed with a waft of yuzu. The medium-bodied palate has vivacious citrus and tropical fruit flavors with a racy backbone and long chalky finish. This is delicious! The yield was 37 hl/ha and the pH 3.15.
White peach flesh on the opening gives an opulent start that quickly narrows inwards to flint and steel. An exceptional white wine, with sculpted charm, showcasing citrus, lime zest, green apple, anis and sage. Harvest August 23 to 30, yields 37hl/h compared to 15h/h in 2022.
The 2023 Pavillon Blanc is quite powerful in this vintage, marked by a combination of creamy, textured fruit, bright acids and an almost phenolic feel that adds pseudo-tannic structure. I imagine the 2023 will need a few years in bottle. Pavillon Blanc is usually more immediate and racier, but the 2023 looks like more of a long-distance runner. Lemon confit, almond and white flowers unfurl in the glass. 2025-2035
100% Sauvignon Blanc. 37 hl/ha (largest yield in 20 years). 45% of the production. Cask sample.
Pale yellow. Sleek and aromatic with citrus, pear and mineral notes. Less concentration than some years but long, poised and zesty, that stony minerality reappearing on the finish. (JL) 13%
Drink 2025 – 2032
