Also a stunning wine, the 2003 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is a sleeper of the vintage. Much fresher and less evolved than I would expect a second wine to be from this vintage, it is a Margaux-like effort with a flowery character, good precision and freshness, red and black currant notes, and an attractive, medium-bodied, surprisingly concentrated mouthfeel. It is clearly one of the finest second wines made in this vintage. It can be consumed over the next 5-8 years. Drink 2014-2022
Deep colour and notable freshness and life on the nose. Great finesse with a smooth spread over the palate. Great soft texture yet depth.
Dense without being heavy, and with excellent, scented persistence. First-rate Pavillon.
A terrific, value-priced second wine, the 2003 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (150,000 bottles produced) may be the finest example of this cuvee I have yet tasted. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by creamy aromas of cassis, vanilla, flowers, and licorice. Round, generous, savory, expansive, and amazingly long as well as concentrated, I even joked with Paul Pontallier that this could get him fired as perhaps the selection was too severe! This 2003 should drink well for 15+ years.
To me, this is the best Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux I have ever tasted, and I joked with administrator Paul Pontallier and owner Corinne Mentzelopoulos that “Perhaps your selection was too severe!” Deep ruby purple with a glorious nose of black fruits, flowers, and earth, the wine is voluptuous, fat, even succulently textured, with loads of character and personality, low acidity, and a plump, fleshy, accessible style that will please early drinkers of this beautifully proportioned, concentrated Pavillon Rouge. Anticipated maturity: now-2018.
The most impressive second wine I have yet tasted from Chateau Margaux, its maker, Paul Pontallier, believes the 2003 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is “his best ever.” A deep ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of jammy black fruits. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, it represents 50% of the production. With low acidity as well as a fresh, vigorous personality, it should drink well for 12-15 years.