Wine Advisor
Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux 2017
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Picked in late August, the 2017 Pavillon Blanc offers an enticing mélange of bright Sauvignon Blanc notes and textural depth, all with the energy that is such a signature of the Blanc. Citrus, orchard fruit, white flowers and crushed rocks are all laced together, but it is the wine's superb balance that stands out most.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2017 Pavillon Blanc is simply magnificent. Gracious and translucent in the glass, the 2017 is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. The flavors are bright and wonderfully sculpted, with plenty of citrus peel, orchard fruit and crushed rock nuances that develop as the wine builds into its creamy, resonant finish. Pavillon Blanc is the highlight this year at Margaux.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2017 Pavillon Blanc was picked 27 to 31 August. It has a well defined bouquet, but for me less expressive than the previous vintage at the moment with white flowers, Nashi pear and a faint touch of orange rind. The palate is well balanced with a fresh entry that delivers pineapple, white peach and a dash of white pepper. There is impressive energy here, well balanced with a hint of apricot and praline towards the tender finish. Very fine.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2017 Pavillon Blanc de Margaux was picked 28 to 31 August and cropped at 22hl/ha despite the frost, which is about average for the last four years according to winemaker Paul Boscule. The bouquet is clean and pure with orange blossom and red apple, dried pineapple aromas that are very seductive. The palate is well balanced with a tang of orange rind and quince on the entry, just the right amount of bitterness to keep this Pavillon Blanc on edge, nicely focused with a hint of lemongrass towards the finish. Excellent.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is very powerful with a super aftertaste of chalk, limestone, and crush sea shells. Full body, layered with phenolic texture that resembles a sleek red. Yet it’s fresh vivid all the time like the excellent white it is. The white pepper character combined with dried citrus is fabulous.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
So energetic and wicked, in a good way, with a subtle start to the palate. Then it takes off on the finish. Sliced dried-apple, green-pear and crushed-stone notes. So minerally and levitated at the finish. Great finish. Explosive. Drink now and enjoy the freshness and youth, or age as long as you like.
About the Producer
Sold in the 19th century as "Château Margaux vin de sauvignon", it has existed under the brand name "Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux" since 1920, and its label has not changed since then. This 11 hectare vineyard is planted exclusively to Sauvignon Blanc. It is located on a very old plot of the estate, planted long ago with red vines which were later dug up because of the high risk of spring frosts. Since 2009/2010, a complete review of production techniques and selection has been carried out in order to reach a higher level; only 1/3 of the harvest is bottled and the remaining 2/3 is sold in bulk. As a result, the quantity of white wine has been considerably reduced to no more than a thousand cases. Today, it benefits from the ultra-modern installation of the new cellar designed by Norman Foster. The finesse, complexity, richness and length of entry of the white wines are unparalleled for wines made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Recent vintages, notably the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, have broken new ground in terms of quality, ageing capacity and style, becoming more mineral and more complex. A large proportion of the harvest was bottled in magnums, creating optimal ageing conditions.
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