Pavillon Rouge 2003

A red wine from Margaux combining power and delicacy

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. Raising the Grand Vin de 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 crus 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 grape variety of the estate favors 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 crus, with a racey and sensual style, so representative of the Margaux appellation.

The vintage

The 2003 vintage, of remarkable precocity, was marked by exceptional summer heat, raising questions and concerns. However, the great terroirs have managed to preserve a perfect balance in the ripening of the grapes. The harvest, which began on September 10, recalls that of 1989, one of the earliest since 1893.

Blend

Cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot.

Characteristics and tasting advice for the 2003 Pavillon Rouge

Tasting

The 2003 vintage gave birth to one of the best Pavillon Rouge ever produced, thanks to the exceptional success of all the grape varieties, including the merlots, remarkable as rarely since 1985. This monumental wine, richer in tannins than any Château Margaux for 40 years, combines power, smoothness and delicacy. Already delicious today, it promises a beautiful evolution over many years.