Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux 2005
- Vintage
- 2005
- Country
- France
- Region
- Bordeaux,Margaux
- Size
- 750ml
- Rating
- WS92, WE92, ST92, WA88
- Grape
- Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot
An amazing 2005! The Merlot that was not allowed a place in the blend of the top wine brings incredible power and life to the Pavillon Rouge. It makes up 48% of the blend! The Cabernets (also 48%) contribute both density and restraint which could have been missing in the opulent, fleshy character of the Merlot. The Petit Verdot (4%) plays its discreet and necessary part of condiment to the full. The blend as a whole is surprisingly powerful, fat and balanced –that’s the magic of blending!–. 2005 is the richest Pavillon Rouge, both in alcohol and tannins, that we have ever produced. (End 2010) - Winemaker's Notes
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. - WS92
BIRTH OF THE ESTATE
It’s difficult to summarise in a few lines, the long and passionate history of the estate, it could be entitled “Once upon a time Château Margaux”. Known since the XII century, it was called “La Mothe de Margaux” (the Margaux mound) and, at that time, it didn’t have any vines. The old name didn’t happen by chance; in a flat region like the Médoc, the slightest “mound” was easily distinguished and the greatest wines are always produced on sloping land that ensures good drainage.
In 1152, Aquitaine fell to the advance of England until 1453 and so Bordeaux wines benefited from this new market. Bordeaux “claret” was adopted as a table wine by Richard the Lion Heart, King of England in the XII century.
The successive owners of “La Mothe de Margaux” were, of course, important lords but we had to wait for the arrival of the Lestonnac family to set up the estate as we know it today. Pierre de Lestonnac succeeded, in the ten years from 1572 to 1582, in completely restructuring the property as well as the vineyard and anticipated the general evolution of the Médoc that had started to abandon cereal growing in favour of vines.
At the end of the XVII century, Château Margaux occupied 265 hectares, land that wouldn’t be divided again. A third of the estate was dedicated to vines, which is still the case today.
England and Holland drank “claret”, a pale wine that didn’t age well. Château Margaux became the epitome for the art of wine-making and the hierarchy between the different Bordeaux growths was already being drawn up.
Château Margaux was born.