2023 Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge

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Description

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Château Margaux and the signature of Pavillon Rouge

Pavillon Rouge is Château Margaux's second wine and shares the same aristocratic style as the Grand Vin, but with a more accessible, youthful structure. The wine is known for its balance, refinement, and fragrant aromas so characteristic of the Margaux terroir. Under the Winery tab, you'll find more background information about Château Margaux and the vision behind these iconic wines.

The grapes for Pavillon Rouge come from plots surrounding the heart of the estate, where deep gravel layers ensure perfect drainage and finesse. This 2023 vintage is among the finest of recent years and beautifully captures how elegant and vibrant Margaux can be, even in a hot and dry year.

The 2023 vintage at Château Margaux

Despite the heat and drought, 2023 was a year with regular rainfall and more cloud cover than usual. This kept the grapes fresh and aromatic, while the peak heat in September resulted in extra concentration. Some bunches suffered sunburn, so during the hand harvest, considerable time was spent selecting only the very best fruit. The harvest took place between September 11 and October 5.

Some of the Merlot was particularly juicy and was lightly saignée to optimize concentration. This is also the first vintage in which the estate officially operates under organic conversion, resulting in even greater precision and purity in the wine.

Blending and vinification of the 2023 Pavillon Rouge

The blend consists of 79 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 percent Merlot, 5 percent Petit Verdot, and 2 percent Cabernet Franc, with an alcohol content of 13.3 percent. The higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine added depth, structure, and aromatic tension.

The vinification was carefully tailored to the vintage's conditions. Some cuvées required rapid extraction due to their natural intensity, while others required longer maceration to achieve the desired balance. The tannins are ripe and precise, and the structure is refined without being austere.

Color, scent and taste of the 2023 Pavillon Rouge

The wine opens with fragrant aromas of violets, cassis, cherries, berries, and a hint of orange zest. These floral and fruity notes are subtly complemented by nuances of licorice, tobacco, and a delicate touch of creamy wood.

On the palate, the wine displays a medium body with exceptional elegance. The tannins are fine, silky, and slightly clingy, giving the structure both tension and refinement. There's a bright, racy freshness that beautifully lifts the dark fruit. The combination of juiciness, energy, and breadth makes the wine irresistible.

The whole is reminiscent of a fresher interpretation of the 2019 style, but with even tighter definition and a beautifully layered aromatic expression. The finish is long, clear, and graceful, with a sensual softness typical of Margaux.

Storage potential and development

This Pavillon Rouge is among the best of recent years. Its refined structure and lively acidity make it delicious to drink from 2025 onwards, but the wine has sufficient depth to evolve beautifully until at least 2043. With age, more notes of smoke, earth, spice, and dried flowers will develop, while the core of fruit remains vibrant.

Would you like to order Château Margaux wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings at the 2023 Pavillon Rouge

Veal tenderloin with sage and lemon butter
The silky structure of the wine complements the tender meat and the fresh spiciness perfectly.

Duck breast with orange and star anise
The floral and fruity notes in the wine enhance the sweet and sour character of the dish.

Lamb fillet with rosemary and black garlic
The aromatic lamb and spicy depth complement the core of cassis and violets beautifully.

Grilled tuna with sesame and soy butter
The fine tannins and juicy freshness support the savoury and slightly smoky flavours.

Risotto with Parmesan and roasted beetroot
The earthy sweetness of beet enhances the floral and fruity complexity of the wine.

Baked eggplant with miso and fresh basil
The soft structure and savoury notes complement the dark fruit layers beautifully.

Specifications

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Available as of Dec 12, 2025
Type of Wine Red
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Appellation Margaux
Winery Chateau Margaux
Grape Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Biological certified No
Natural wine No
Vegan No
Vintage 2023
Drinking as of 2026
Drinking till 2043
Alcohol % 13.5
Alcohol free/low No
Content 0.75 ltr
Oak aging Yes
Sparkling No
Dessert wine No
Closure Cork
Parker rating 94
James Suckling rating 97
Vinous rating 93
Tasting Profiles Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Mineraal, Tannines
Drink moments Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard

Professional Reviews

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Parker

94

James Suckling

97

Vinous

93

Wijnhuis

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Château Margaux is one of those names in the wine world that instantly sparks the imagination. A stately château, centuries of history, and wines that rank among the very best of Bordeaux.

History of Château Margaux

The roots of Château Margaux go back to the Middle Ages, when the estate was still known as Lamothe. In the 16th century, the Lestonnac family began transforming the land into a vineyard with serious ambition. Over the centuries, ownership changed hands many times, but the reputation steadily grew. In the early 19th century, the Marquis de la Colonilla built the current château, a refined neo-Palladian building that still dominates the skyline of Margaux today.

In 1855, Château Margaux was classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé, the highest ranking in the famous Bordeaux classification. Yet the estate also faced harder times. In the 1970s its reputation began to fade, until Greek businessman André Mentzelopoulos revived it. Since then, Château Margaux has remained tied to his family and is now run by his daughter Corinne and her children.

Location and terroir of Château Margaux

The estate lies in the Médoc, on the left bank of the Gironde, within the Margaux AOC. This appellation is known for elegant and refined red wines. The soil at Château Margaux is distinctive: deep layers of gravel with touches of clay and limestone. The gravel provides excellent drainage, forcing the vines to root deeply. This results in grapes with great concentration and tension, the foundation of the estate’s renowned wines.

Grape varieties of Château Margaux

As is typical in the Médoc, Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead. Around three-quarters of the vineyards are planted with it. Merlot makes up about twenty percent, with smaller plots of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. This blend gives the wines both power and finesse. For whites there’s a rare exception: Pavillon Blanc, made entirely from Sauvignon Blanc, grown on a smaller plot next to the red vineyards.

Château Margaux wine styles

The most famous wine is of course the Grand Vin de Château Margaux. Then there is Pavillon Rouge, the second wine often made from younger vines or parcels that don’t make it into the first selection. More recently, a third label has been added: Margaux du Château Margaux. For white wine lovers there is Pavillon Blanc, praised for its freshness and long ageing potential.

Winemaking combines tradition and modern technique. The red wines age for about one and a half to two years in new French oak, giving them depth and complexity. The white wine is aged for a shorter time, preserving its lively character. A special detail: Château Margaux even has its own cooperage, giving them full control over the quality of their barrels.

Interesting facts

  • Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, praised Château Margaux in the 18th century as one of the finest wines of Bordeaux.
  • The château itself is a listed historical monument and is often described as one of the most beautiful wine estates in France.
  • In 2015, a new tasting and research building was unveiled, designed by British architect Norman Foster, blending tradition and innovation.

Order Château Margaux online?

At Grandcruwijnen you can safely order Château Margaux. The wines are stored in a conditioned Wine Warehouse to ensure perfect preservation. If you select ‘Pick up’ during checkout, you’ll instantly see a discount. Convenient and cost-effective.

Attachments

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