Chateau Margaux - Pavillon Blanc 2018

JEB DUNNUCK: "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."

JAMES SUCKLING: "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."

WEINWISSER: "Helles Gelb mit zarten lindgrünen Reflexen. Betörender Duft nach frischer Pomelo, Zitronengras und Renekloden. Am komplexen Gaumen mit reifem Extrakt und spürbarer Mineralik, beeindruckende Tiefe zeigend. Im aromatischen saftigen Finale mit edler weisser Pfeffernote und Agrumen. «Der Wein hat den Trockenstress gut verdaut, es wurde daher früher gelesen. Ein reifer Sauvignon Blanc, dicht und trotzdem mit Spannung, komplex, ist nicht (ganz) auf dem Level wie 2017, etwas weniger konzentriert, wir haben den perfekten Stil gefunden,» meint Direktor Philippe Bascaules stolz. Gehört zu den besten weissen Gewächsen in diesem Jahr!"

WINE SPECTATOR: "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."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

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"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Fresh, bright, crisp and juicy, the lemons, grapefruit and green apple are made even better with a deft touch of orange rind and honeysuckle. Creamy, juicy and crisp with a lemon drenched finish, this is ready now and can age for at least 10-15 years with ease."

FALSTAFF: "Helles Gelbgrün, Silberreflexe. Reife weiße Tropenfrucht, ein Hauch von Guaven, frische Ananas, ein Hauch von Mandarinenzesten, zarte Vanille unterlegt. Schlank, straff, saliner Touch, weißer Pfirsich unterlegt mit Limetten, mittlere Länge, zitroniger Rückgeschmack."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "From a vineyard to the west of the main Margaux estate, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc is rich, packed with yellow fruits as well as a straight line of citrus. Wood aged, it shows toastiness that underlines the richness and ripe fruit. While the wine can be drunk now, that would be a shame because it will be so much better from 2022."