2009 Pavillon Rouge du Ch. Margaux

Paul Pontallier stated proudly that this wine was the best Pavillon he’s ever made. It is certainly a very fine second wine with deep, intense blackcurrant on the nose mingling with oak spice and a massive level of very ripe tannins. The density and concentration of fruit on the palate was clear, resulting in a very succulent wine with a long savoury finish to boot.

Fine deep colour, great purity of Cabernet on the nose, a really beautiful wine, pure Margaux, perfect balance and unexpected length.
(Steven Spurrier - Decanter - Apr 2010)

41% of the crop. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 29% Merlot. Pontallier says: 'We were tempted to make a Pavillon better than ever. Luscious but light. Stricter selection for Pavillon than usual.' Bright crimson. Very fragrant, like the Issan. Quite low key. Very sweet palate entry and light and just a little herbaceous on the palate. Some chew as though the lots with the least ripe tannins went into this. Deep throat warming finish though. Very pure.
(Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com - Apr 2010)

Paul Pontallier told me they had never had such levels of concentration and tannin as they did in 2009, exceeding anything they ever produced since the Mentzelopoulos family purchased this property in 1978. Pontallier believes 1996 is the closest stylistically, but 2009 is significantly more concentrated than that vintage. I do not disagree because tasting the second wine, Pavilion Rouge du Chateau Margaux, demonstrates that the 2009 is far superior to almost every Chateau Margaux made in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, except for the 1961 and 1953. The dark ruby/purplehued 2009 Pavilion Rouge de Chateau Margaux offers a big, sweet kiss of spring flowers intermixed with blueberries and blackberries, a silky texture, and a dense, concentrated, but seamless mouthfeel. This glorious wine should drink well for 20 or more years.

Thirty-five percent of the crop went into the 2009 Chateau Margaux, composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabemet Franc. The alcohol level of 13.3% is high, but not excessively so. A wine such as this is like the quintessence of terroir. A super, Ober-concentrated perfume of creme de cassis and flowers cascades across the palate with a iightness of being despite massive concentration, a sumptuous personality, and an unctuous texture. I have never tasted a Chateau Margaux quite like this. It should be relatively drinkable at an early age, yet will last for 50-100 years. Oh my!
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - April 2010)

Love the strawberry and ripe raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with superrefined tannins, berry, flower and rose petal. Fresh finish. Harmonious.
(James Suckling - Wine Spectator - Apr 2010)