Pavillon Rouge 2020

A delicate and aromatic Second Red Wine from Margaux

The estate

With origins dating back to the 12th century, the Château Margaux is one of those Grand Crus that have built the legend of the great wines of Bordeaux around the world. The château was awarded the title of Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855 and was the only one of the four châteaux presented to have obtained a score of twenty out of twenty. With the acquisition of the estate in 1977 by André Mentzelopoulos, Château Margaux writes a new page in its history. Elevating the Grand Vin of Château Margaux to the highest level, he reintroduced the Second Wine of the château, the Pavillon Rouge of Château Margaux, initiated in 1908. Following in her father's footsteps due to his premature death, Corinne Mentzelopoulos took up the family banner with energy and passion to maintain the rank of Château Margaux, which has become a Bordeaux masterpiece, so recognizable by its neo-Palladian style. Vintage after vintage, the estate's wines are among the greatest wines in the world.

The vineyard

The Château Margaux vineyard owes its uniqueness to its rare and unique terroir, located on a gravel mound. The estate's grape variety gives pride of place to the flagship black grape of the area, the cabernet sauvignon, not forgetting the merlot, the petit verdot and the cabernet franc. The clay-limestone soils of the estate give birth to legendary wines, with a sleek and sensual style, so representative of the Margaux appellation.

The vintage

The year 2020 is marked by some of the highest temperatures ever recorded, due in particular to successive heatwaves and a particularly hot and dry summer. The rains at the end of 2019 precede a very mild winter, leading to early bud break (from March 22 to 26 depending on the grape varieties, i.e. 10 days ahead of average). While the high spring temperatures favor a homogeneous flowering without coulure or millerandage, the heavy rainfall leads to high parasitic pressure, controlled by the château's teams. The heatwave and drought mark the summer period. No rain is recorded from June 19 to August 10. The veraison takes place between July 23 and 26. Stormy episodes during the month of August reduce the impact of water stress by lowering the temperature, thus limiting insolation and preserving the acidic potential of the berries. The ideal conditions of September, combining sunny days and low rainfall with cool nights, even continue during the early harvest. Although yields are lower due to weather conditions, the small-sized grapes give concentrated and qualitative juices.

Blend

Cabernet sauvignon (75%), merlot (18%), petit verdot (5%) and cabernet franc (2%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for Pavillon Rouge 2020

Tasting

Due to the homogeneity and high quality of this vintage, Pavillon Rouge 2020 from Château Margaux represents 31% of the harvest, a slightly higher percentage than the last vintages. Made with the same rigor as the Grand Vin of the estate, this vintage seduces with its delicacy, the finesse of its tannins and its balance.