Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 1986

Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 1986

1. Introduction

The Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux is the famous second wine of the legendary Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Margaux in the Bordeaux region of Margaux. It comes from the same vineyards as the first wine and is produced from plots of younger vines and from parcels that are not selected for the Grand Vin. The wine thus offers an earlier, more accessible and often somewhat smoother expression of the unique finesse and elegance of Château Margaux.

2. Vineyard, terroir & history

The Château Margaux vineyard can look back on over 400 years of winemaking tradition. The speciality of the vineyard lies in its terroir: a rare gravel knoll with clay and limestone soils, which gives the wines a racy, sensual grace.

The second wine itself was officially introduced in 1908. After a period in which it was no longer produced, owner André Mentzelopoulos brought it back to life in 1977. To this day, the Pavillon Rouge benefits from the same expertise and strict quality standards of the first growth.

3. The 1986 vintage

The 1986 vintage was of exceptional quality in Bordeaux. A mild summer was interrupted by a short period of rain around 20 September, which was followed by ideal conditions with sustained fine weather for the entire harvest period.

• Quality: The winery itself describes the 1986 vintage as a "great vintage for the Pavillon Rouge" and emphasises that almost all plots produced very good wines.

• Speciality: In 1986, for the first time, a yield reduction (thinning out of the grapes) was carried out in the plots of the youngest and most productive vines, which further improved the quality of the remaining grapes.

4. Vinification & grape varieties

The 1986 Pavillon Rouge was vinified in the classic manner for a high-quality Bordeaux:

• Grape varieties (cuvée): The exact blending ratio varies from vintage to vintage. For the 1986 Pavillon Rouge, a composition of around 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc is typically specified.

• Ageing: The wine matured for a period of 18 to 26 months in oak barrels, around a third of which were produced in the château's own cooperage.

• Vinification: Fermentation took place in both traditional wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks, a combination of tradition and modernity that is typical of the château.

5. Sensory characteristics (tasting note)

As the 1986 vintage has reached its maturity plateau, tasting notes from previous years provide a detailed picture of its characteristics:

• Colour: A deep, dark ruby red with garnet reflections. With age, characteristic brick and ochre tones appear at the edges.

• Nose: The bouquet is complex and shows the typical maturity of a classic Bordeaux. Aromas of blackcurrant (cassis), cedar wood, dried tobacco and leather dominate . There are also notes of graphite, truffle, liquorice, mineral notes and fine mint and dark chocolate.

• Palate: On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied with a silky texture. The initially harsh tannins of the vintage have integrated and smoothed over time . The flavours of dark plum, black cherry and cassis are accompanied byearthy notes, pencil shavings and fine spices. A good, lively acidity provides freshness and balance.

• Finish: The finish is long, savoury and complex, leaving a lingering, elegant impression.

6. Shelf life & drinking maturity

The Pavillon Rouge 1986 has reached its optimum drinking window. Current reviews recommend opening the bottles now to enjoy the fully developed flavour. Château Margaux itself confirmed in October 2018 that the Pavillon Rouge has reached its peak. However, it should be able to retain its character for a few more years if stored ideally.

7. Reviews & prices

The Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 1986 receives predominantly positive reviews, which recognise its maturity and elegance, but also note its lower complexity compared to the Grand Vin.

Prices: Prices for this vintage vary greatly depending on condition, merchant and market situation.

• International (average): approximately $249 USD (excl. tax) per 750ml bottle.

• Europe (Germany): Prices between approx. 150 € and 184 € plus VAT are quoted, but are highly dependent on the individual case.

8. Food recommendations

Due to its structure and aroma profile, the wine harmonises ideally with hearty, flavourful dishes:

• Grilled red or white meat (e.g. roast beef, leg of veal)

• Braised meat and game dishes

• Milk-fed lamb or duck breast

• Mushroom dishes (e.g. porcini mushrooms)

• Matured hard cheese

9. Conclusion

The Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 1986 is an excellent, fully mature second wine from an exceptional vintage. It offers an authentic and accessible insight into the terroir and style of one of the world's most famous wine estates. With its complex, mature flavours of cedar wood, leather and dark fruit and its silky texture, it is an ideal companion for fine dining and a rewarding discovery for lovers of mature Bordeaux.