Pavillon Rouge 2012

Very stylish, with a caressing feel to the steeped plum, blackberry and raspberry fruit, lined with subtle black tea and alder notes. The long, graceful finish has lovely mouthfeel. For fans of the understated style. Drink now through 2022. 10,833 cases made.

A true younger sibling of the first growth, this well-known second wine offers a finely scented bouquet and a creamy palate in 2012. Proper Margaux finesse that lingers on the palate. Ready now.

A gorgeous red with chocolate, berry and light mineral character. Full-bodied, with round, velvety tannins. So drinkable now and delicious. A blend of 63% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Drink or hold.

Tasted blind. Looks quite pale and mature. Sweet oak on the nose. Pretty sour on the finish without quite enough fruit in the middle. Light and tart. (JR)

The 2012 Pavillon Rouge is soft, supple and open-knit, with plenty of dark red cherry, cherry pit, tobacco and brambly flavors. Initially a bit brooding, the 2012 becomes more finessed with time in the glass. Sweet floral and minty notes add freshness on the finish. The tannins are silky and polished throughout. Drink this supple, forward Pavillon Rouge over the next decade or so.

Flowers, cherries, cocoa and smoke create the inviting nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, bright and crisp, with an elegant black cherry finish that is both sweet and tart.

Very nice aromatics, ripe dark berries, soft and juicy texture, good freshness, slightly young tannin, and a well-rounded medium to long finish.

Brightening garnet of medium density, with a fine rim. The bouquet opens floral, perhaps a touch cool, yet spicy, slender on the attack without losing any aromas. Refined on the palate, very elongated, a clear Cabernet profile, with licorice and black elderberry on the finish, lingering incredibly long. A remarkable Pavillon Rouge. At around 100,000 bottles, it’s a rather small quantity. The selection accounts for 30% of the harvest, whereas it is usually about 36%.

Bright garnet of medium density, with a fine rim. The bouquet opens floral, perhaps a touch cool, yet spicy, slim on the attack without losing aromas. Refined on the palate, very elongated, clear Cabernet expression, with licorice and black elderberry on the finish, and an incredibly long aftertaste. A remarkable Pavillon Rouge. With around 100,000 bottles, a rather small quantity. The selection accounts for 30% of the harvest; normally it is about 36%.

The 2012 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is medium to deep garnet colored. Cherry cordial and plum preserves pop from the nose, leading to underlying wafts of cumin seed, dried mint, cedar, and dried lavender. The medium-bodied palate has a firm, grainy texture and a good core of evolved black fruits, finishing with a minty lift.

All about tenderness and freshness, with easy, delicate tannins, for seasoned enthusiasts. But perhaps we expect a bit more substance.

A bouquet marked by freshness with notes of red berries and a hint of licorice. Delicious, creamy, and balanced on the palate. A lively, fruity wine.

This is a crisp, red-fruited wine with acidity and fresh tannins. It's lost the austerity it showed at barrel tasting and has become surprisingly fresh, only showing its depths and concentration as it unfolds. The texture is smooth, soft with its firmer tannins very much in the background. It's likely to develop quickly.