Critic Notes
The yields were an exiguous 20 hectolitres per hectare in 2015 on this outstanding white from Château Margaux. Exotic, concentrated and textured, this combines flavours of peach and grapefruit with vanilla spice and a bracing, minerally finish. Apr 2016, www.timatkin.com, Drink: 2016-2025
Score: 96-/100Tim AtkinDrinking Window: 2016-2025
This is like biting into perfectly ripe grapes with dried apple, peach and pear. Full and energetic with a pretty texture and length. Mar 2016, www.JamesSuckling.com
Score: 95-96/100James Suckling
The 2015 Pavillon Blanc, 100% Sauvignon Blanc, is bright, finely sculpted and classically understated in style. Citrus, white flowers, white pepper, mint and green pear abound. Weightless, translucent and also wonderfully taut, the Pavillon Blanc is one of the great white wines of the year. The nuanced, saline finish suggests the 2015 has a bright future. Apr 2016, www.Vinous.com
Score: 93-96/100Antonio Galloni
Coming from vines that are now over 40 years old, representing only one-third of the total production and, as always, produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2015 Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux was matured for eight months in barrels, 20% new. The nose simply sings of fresh peaches, pink grapefruit and almonds with touches of dried herbs, crushed stones, allspice and honeycomb plus a waft of elderflower. The medium-bodied palate reveals a lovely satiny texture, great intensity and a racy backbone to support the vibrant fruit, finishing long with some tropical notes coming through. Although it is delicious now, it is certainly closed compared to what it will be in a year or two and can easily cellar for 20 years or more. Feb 2018, www.robertparker.com
Score: 93-/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Superb 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Lovely white flowers nose then lively and fresh on the palate, showing beautifully sappy, ripe flavours and a long, lifted finish. Apr 2016, Steven Spurrier, www.Decanter.com, Drink: 2017-2028
Score: 92-/100DecanterDrinking Window: 2017-2028
The 2015 Pavillon Blanc de Château Margaux was cropped at 20 hl/ha and represents just one-third of the production, equivalent to around 10,000 bottles. It has a fresh lime cordial, apple blossom and white peach scented bouquet that is very seductive. The palate is well balanced with a keen thread of acidity, engendered by the cool nights in August and September. It is very harmonious with almond and a touch of stem ginger and sour lemon towards the finish, an accomplished Pavillon Blanc that should offer 10-15 years of pleasure. Apr 2016, www.eRobertParker.com, Drink: 2018-2032
Score: 91-93/100Neal MartinDrinking Window: 2018-2032
Light nose and then quite broad and rich on the palate but without quite enough nerve. Apr 2016, www.JancisRobinson.com, Drink: 2016-2018
Score: 17-/20Jancis RobinsonDrinking Window: 2019-2028
