More Merlot than usual (48 percent). Limpid purple garnet hue. Almost opaque. Just that gorgeous Margaux nose: violets, blackcurrant, just brilliant definition (and this is the second wine?) Blueberry coming through, a little more cassis. Firm tannins, again wonderful definition and focus. More dense than previous year, very good weight with a strong, blackberry, cedary finish. Lots of freshness on the finish. Wow, a sensational Second Wine. Tasted April 2006.

– eRobertParker.com, January 2000

The 2005 Pavillon Rouge is in a beautiful spot right now where it is just beginning to show signs of aromatic complexity and nuance. At fifteen years of age, the DNA of the vintage remains - Pavillon Rouge is a potent, hulking wine. Sweet tobacco, cedar, mint, dried flowers and anise add layers of nuance. Readers lucky enough to own the 2005 should be delighted. I imagine the 2005 will drink beautifully for another decade or more. Today it is positively stellar. The more it opens in the glass, the more classic it becomes.

The 2005 Pavillon Rouge is a hell of a second wine and it undeniably has some classic Château Margaux class. Cassis, spicy wood, graphite, and dried flowers all define the aromatics and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a round, supple, mouthfeel, and elegant tannins. It’s a layered, complex, satisfying Margaux to enjoy any time over the coming decade.

Very beautiful aromas of crushed flowers--like roses--follow through to plum, berry and Indian spices. Full-bodied, refined and silky, with lovely ripe fruit and a delicate aftertaste of raisin and flowers. Best after 2012. — JS

Silky textured, full of sweet tobacco, fleshy raspberry and red cherry notes,. A little more open than its Pauillac siblings at this point, with the finely-boned structure and multi-layered aromatics that you look for in the wines of Château Margaux. A high percentage of Merlot in this vintage because the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon performed so well that it was given precedence in the main estate wine. One of the richest in alcohol and tannins produced at the property to date, and ready to go at 15 years old.
Tasted by Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 07 Sep 2020)
Part of Bordeaux 2005 second wines: Tasting six of the best

As I indicated last year, administrator Paul Pontallier, along with the owners, has made a concerted effort to upgrade the quality of Chateau Margaux’s second wine, which now represents nearly 200,000 bottles. The 2005 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (primarily equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a small dollop of Petit Verdot) is actually higher in alcohol (14%) than its big sibling. Although not as complex as that wine, it is an intense, fleshy, silky-textured, opulent, rich effort boasting terrific purity as well as sweet fruit and tannin. A sleeper selection, it will provide immense enjoyment for 15 or more years.

(48% each merlot and cabernet sauvignon plus 4% petit verdot) Bright ruby-red. Very pure aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet and spicy oak. Very ripe and rich in the mouth, with a much more pliant texture than the grand vin Quite chewy on the back end, finishing with broad, sweet tannins and a touch of warmth. This has alcohol in the 14% range, or a full point higher than Chateau Margaux's 13%.

Stylish and pure, the 2005 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is soft and round, with a deep ruby color, silky tannins, medium body and a lush, seductive mouthfeel. It is drinking well already and should continue to do so for another 8-10 years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #219, Jun 2015)

Very dark. Lively, nervy nose with lots of fresh fruit and still a hint of oak but there is some real core of fruit here. Should come right in the end. Tannins on the finish are dry not drying. (JR)