2012 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux

The second wine of Margaux, the Pavillon Rouge (63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot), exhibits more structure and masculinity than one normally expects. It has a deep ruby/purple color, nice floral and blackcurrant notes, some spice box, moderate tannin and medium body. This is a Pavillon Rouge that should admirably stand the test of time for 15-20 years. Its impressively long finish adds to its appeal and value. This wine will actually benefit from several years of bottle age and keep for 20 years.Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 30/04/2015

Lovely Cabernet-dominated wine, with Merlot adding spicy black fruits, beautiful elegance, polish and length, pure Margaux.

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Very fragrant indeed. Lift and restraint. Not TOO sweet compared with some other Médocs in 2012. Lovely balance. Very clean and healthy. Modestly scaled. Very precise and neat. Very discreet – beautiful really is an apt word for this. jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com, 22 Apr 2013

Composed of 30% of the production, the 2012 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Fragrant, flowery, red and black fruit notes intermixed with notions of dusty, loamy soil are found in this medium-bodied, silky, enormously charming 2012. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years. Only about one-third of the total production made it into the 2012 Chateau Margaux, which is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Like many Medoc first-growths in this vintage, this estate's aim was to make an elegant, supple-styled 2012 that emphasized the fruit, charm and delicacy of this terroir rather than pushing extraction and going for a powerhouse, which would have been difficult to produce in a vintage like 2012. The natural alcohol is 13%. robert_parker - Wine Advocate - Apr 2013

Delivers black tea and singed vanilla aromas, with supple red currant and iron notes. A pleasant backdrop of cedar comes into focus on the sinewy finish. Tasted non-blind. james_molesworth, Wine Spectator, April 8 2013