Pavillon Blanc Du Chateau Margaux 2018 (750ML)

99 JD / 98 JS / 97 WS / 96 DE / 95+ WA / 95 DE

#20 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of France 2021

I'd say the finest white I've ever tasted from this estate, the 2018 Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc is all Sauvignon brought all in barrel. Its vivid gold hue is followed by an incredible bouquet of candied lemons, white grapefruit, crushed stone-like minerality, and a rich, flower oil-like character that develops with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, racy, yet incredibly concentrated, with serious extract, richness, and glycerol, it has an almost red wine-like sense of structure and length. Whites in 2018 don't get any better than this. Enjoy this sensational white any time over the coming 15-20 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

A dynamic dry white with lemon rind, pears and sherbet, as well as vanilla and lilac character. It’s full-bodied with a tight, focused palate of lovely ripe fruit and vivid acidity. Timid, yet classy at the finish. Energetic acidity. 1,000 cases made. Try after 2023. - James Suckling

This ripples with tension as the core of gooseberry, chalk, white asparagus and fleur de sel is chiseled and taut while the sides of the wine glisten with floral notes. There's a late flurry of thyme and tarragon for additional range and length, as if it needed any. About as pure and unencumbered an expression of a grape as you can get. Drink now through 2028. 833 cases made. - JM, Wine Spectator

As mentioned during my barrel tasting of this wine, the 2018 Pavillon Blanc is made of 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was picked at the end of August. The vines here are 40-50 years old, going some way to helping them cope with periods of extreme heat and drought, as was the case in 2018. The nose begins a little reticent, requiring a fair bit of swirling to unlock youthful, pristine notes of freshly squeezed limes, lemon tart and fresh grapefruit with touches of sea spray, green mango and acacia with a waft of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate delivers a seriously racy backbone of acidity, supporting the super intense citrus and chalky flavors layers, finishing long with great purity. It will require a good 4-5 years in bottle to emerge from this shell and should drink for a good 15 years or more beyond that. - LPB, Wine Advocate

An expressive and bright nose, so bright and fresh with aromas of crisp green apple. What surprises the most is the texture on the palate, such a thick, honeyed lemon aspect - full, wide and expansive with a touch of buttery caramel, lemon and orange zest, nectarine flesh and a subtle toasted spiced, smoked element that hits the sides of the mouth creating complexity and nuance. Yet this is also thrillingly vibrant with excellent acidity - incredible even more so given the warmth of the year. A seriously stunning wine that is so balanced and pleasing to drink but also has a long life ahead. Extremely impressive.-- Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Just gorgeous aromatics, gripping and arresting, with clear cut apricot and nectarine flesh on the nose. The kind of wine where you smell the texture before it gets anywhere near your mouth. With a beautifully smoky edge, this is juicy and well-balanced. Again, this grip that you have in all three Margaux wines in this vintage. Just the right amount of fleshy mouthfeel and knife-edge freshness, even though a low 17hl/ha yield. Concentrated but they have handled it so well that there is still a ton of juice running through the palate. 3.05pH - same as 2017. Drinking Window 2022 - 2036 - Jane Anson, Decanter