Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2020

Blackberry and graphite with dark fruit and violets on the nose. Very complex. Full-bodied with lovely, fine tannins that are lightly chewy. Extremely long and polished. Really refined. Integrated tannins. Wonderful length.

Vibrant plum colour with violet edging, glass staining and gorgeous. A serious Pavillon Rouge, as is typical of the vintage, with fleshy raspberry and bilberry fruits, espresso and cocoa bean, precise and clean-cut, taking serious aim at the tannic frame. This is even more concentrated than 2016 in terms of the analysis, and the intensity of the fruit character suggests long ageing ahead of it. The estate saw 80mm of rain on August 13 but apart from that there was almost no rain for six weeks. 36hl/h yield (compared to 55hl/h in 2016, explaining the extra concentration here), 55% new oak for ageing.

Pavillon Rouge represents 31% of the production of Ch Margaux in 2020 (with 22% relegated to the third label Margaux de Margaux and 11% sold off in bulk). Comin in at 13.6% alcohol, the encepagement is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Production is down 20% on 2019. Deep ruby in colour with an expansive, fragrant nose of dried violets, rich blakckcurrant and a red plum. The spice is elegant and fine. Good vibrancy with bright hedgerow fruit at the core. The tannins offer enough grip to age but this is finely etched and should drink well fairly young. Long finish.

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 31% of the production. Cask sample.
Pronounced fruit and freshness with finely matted, powdery tannins that provide elegance and a suavity of texture. Aromatic and juicy on the finish. Medium to long ageing potential. (JL) 13.6%
Drink 2027 – 2040

(75% CS, 18% M, 5% PV, 2% CF; 36hl/ha; 13.5% ABV; 50% new)
Dark, rich, and vivid to smell, dense red and black fruit and gravel, long and floral, too; full, concentrated, and vital in acidity, finely firm in surrounding tannin; pure, intense, vivid, red and black fruit in flavor, long and tasty, concentrated without any sense of thickness, a purity partly conveyed by the acidity making the juices run! A very nice depth of dark fruit behind the acidity, and fine, gently fragrant length. Complete, elegant, stylish. 2028–50.