2017 Pavillon Rouge du Ch Margaux (Margaux)

The 2017 Pavillon Rouge is a very pretty wine. Fresh, floral and beautifully lifted, the 2017 is all class. There is a purity to the flavors here that is simply remarkable. Estate Manager Sebastian Vergne told me the winemaking team opted to raise temperatures at the end of fermentation to gain a bit more color, depth and polymerization of tannins. Pavillon Rouge represents 22% of the estate`s production. 89-92 points

22% of the harvest. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. 13.5% pH 3.7. `Just below the quality of 2015`, says technical director Sébastien Vergne. Bright healthy crimson. Rich, pure-fruited and generous. Smooth, velvety tannins, deep and long. Deep and rich and even. 17 points

Blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux has a lovely open and expressive spicy nose of cinnamon and cloves with a core of red currant jelly, kirsch and crushed blackberries plus touches of tobacco and new leather. The palate is medium-bodied with great mid-palate intensity and plenty of red and black fruit layers, finishing on an uplifting perfumed note. 91-93 points