Château Margaux Margaux Pavillon Rouge 2010

96 points James Suckling: "This the greatest Pavillon Rouge ever made. Aromas of flowers, smoke, currants and raspberries follow through to a full body, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. This is balanced and refined with wonderful depth. Hard to believe it's a second wine. Better after 2018. (11/14/13)"

95 points Tim Atkin, MW (Apr 2011).

94 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Now 11 years old, and bursting with layers. It's finessed and vibrant, packed with raspberry and black cherry fruits. Maintains its juiciness and well balanced structure from start to finish, showing still-muscular tannins but riven through with hints of tobacco, iris and rose. This is usually the window that you would expect to begin drinking a first wine, but here we are with Pavillon Rouge and it is just now softening and opening up - a great example of how not only the 2010 vintage but the terroir of the Château Margaux vineyard slows everything down. At this point, they were making both a third and a fourth selection, and for the first time that the Pavillon Rouge made up the same amount as the main wine at 38% of the crop. Can drink now or go longer. 60% new oak, harvest September 23 to October 15. Drinking Window: 2021-2036. (Jun 2021)"

94 points Robert Parker: "The second wine, the 2010 Pavillon Rouge (essentially two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot with small quantities and Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) looks to be a wine to age for 20 or more years, but it is quite drinkable already. Soft, supple and luscious, with oodles of blue and black fruits, the floral character one expects, and not a trace of herbaceousness, oak or aggressiveness, this is a beautiful, round, generous wine to drink over the next 18-20 years. Drink: 2013-2033. (Feb 2013)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "This is lovely, with a powerful backdrop of graphite and tar, harnessed by flavors of velvety plum, steeped fig and black currant preserves. The long incense- and black tea-filled finish completes the seduction. Refined, defined and poised. Best from 2014 through 2025. (3/31/13)"

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Dense and structured, this second wine from Château Margaux is magnificent. There are hints of bitter chocolate, along with tarry fruit. It is very textured, just hinting at extraction. The tannins are rounded and velvet-like in character. It's a wine for medium-term aging. (May 2013)"

93 points Falstaff: "Dark ruby colour, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Delicate leafy savouriness on the nose, red berry nuances, a hint of cherry and cranberry, tobacco nuances. Juicy, freshly structured, fine strawberry confit, lemony touch, pleasant extract sweetness on the finish, mineral, good persistence, stimulating style. (3/22/13)"

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot). Powerful but finessed classic, elegant, with depth and flavour that majors on black fruits and chocolate curls. The tannins here remain a little austere even at 12 years old. First time that the Pavillon Rouge, which made up 38% of the crop, accounted for the same proportion as the 1st wine. Needs time to open, but with a few hours in a carafe it shows its charm. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2022-2035. (6/7/22)"