This exceptional vintage produced one of the best Pavillon Rouge so far. As usual, there are a number of different reasons for this success, but we feel it is important to stress the equal success of our four grape varieties. The high quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Petit Verdot is not surprising in such a vintage, which enabled all the grapes, even those in the latest-ripening plots, to ripen with no problem. It was the quality of the Merlot which surprised us the most. We feel that they were the best Merlot grapes we have had since 1985. During the blending it was a really difficult to find the less good batches to make up the third wine…
The Pavillon Rouge 2003 is a monumental wine, richer in tannins than any Château Margaux produced over at least the last 40 years, until 2005 (which is even more concentrated!). This unusual power is fortunately balanced, as in the first wine, by a delicacy and smoothness which almost makes one forget the impressive tannic structure. It is delicious to drink today and for many more years to come. (October 2018)
Margaux
Climate
2003 was a very early vintage which will above all be remembered for its exceptionally hot summer weather. Such conditions, which at times were described as extreme, caused many questions to be asked and sometimes gave rise to concerns; however, the greatest terroirs fared remarkably well, producing grapes of perfectly balanced ripeness.
The picking began on September 10, as in 1989, which was the earliest vintage since 1893.