There is a purity and directness to this wine with blueberry, sliced-mushroom and floral character. Full body, firm tannins and a long and intense finish. Racy.

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

[63CS/33M/6PV] Ripe and very mineral nose; lovely proportions, a fine combination of density, freshly ripe fruit and very fine tannin; sweet and concentrated in fruit, vital, classy, long to taste, juicy, polished, supple and refined and with great persistence. Softer, more sensual, less complex than Margaux itself, but with enormous class for a second wine. 2020-30+ 17/17.5+ [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2013]

Bright, lifted nose with ripe blackcurrant and strawberry. There’s vibrancy and tension on the palate which is supple and savoury. Balances lightness of touch with good concentration and an almost crystalline, Burgundy-esque character.

Attractive sweet and smoky character to the raspberry fruits. This is generous, with subtle caramel and smoked cedar, a delicious Pavillon that is approachable and open, ready to drink but absolutely no rush, it will stay at this level for at least another decade. 30% of overall production.

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.

Delivers black tea and singed vanilla aromas, with supple red currant and iron notes. A pleasant backdrop of cedar comes into focus on the sinewy finish. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.

A blend of 33% Merlot, 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the Pavillon Rouge takes time to settle down in the glass. Small dark cherries, a touch of blueberry and iodine that unfold with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, ripe, quite solid tannins. There is a higher density here than I expected. There is a good weight here, perhaps less expressive than previous vintages at this point with a grippy, quite powerful finish. Tasted April 2013.

The second wine of Margaux, the Pavillon Rouge (63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot), exhibits more structure and masculinity than one normally expects. It has a deep ruby/purple color, nice floral and blackcurrant notes, some spice box, moderate tannin and medium body. This is a Pavillon Rouge that should admirably stand the test of time for 15-20 years. Its impressively long finish adds to its appeal and value. This wine will actually benefit from several years of bottle age and keep for 20 years.

Quality 837 | Brand 928 | Economics 976 | buzz brand
Quality: Above the average quality score of its peer group for the 2012 vintage, 699 Brand: We found this wine on 14 of the world's top restaurant wine lists, including Pollen Street Social Economics: Above its peer group average price of £43 for the 2012 vintage Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 112,956 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017

Composed of 30% of the production, the 2012 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Fragrant, flowery, red and black fruit notes intermixed with notions of dusty, loamy soil are found in this medium-bodied, silky, enormously charming 2012. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years. Drink: 2013 - 2028

Only about one-third of the total production made it into the 2012 Chateau Margaux, which is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Like many Medoc first-growths in this vintage, this estate-s aim was to make an elegant, supple-styled 2012 that emphasized the fruit, charm and delicacy of this terroir rather than pushing extraction and going for a powerhouse, which would have been difficult to produce in a vintage like 2012. The natural alcohol is 13%.

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Very fragrant indeed. Lift and restraint. Not TOO sweet compared with some other Médocs in 2012. Lovely balance. Very clean and healthy. Modestly scaled. Very precise and neat. Very discreet – beautiful really is an apt word for this. Drink 2020-2030.