2016 Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc

97 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Absolutely living up to the promise of en primeur now it's in bottle, this is complex and expertly-spun, with notes of honeysuckle, kiwi, lime, waxy rosemary and savoury herbs. Touches of stone fruit flit through the mid-palate, and it all tiptoes along in perfect balance. Slate and salt appear, followed by waves of returning flavour and electric pulses that stretch out the finish. A low yield in 2016 of 23hl/ha. Drinking Window 2020 - 2038

96 POINTS

James Suckling

The depth and intensity is very beautiful, yet with electrifying acidity that gives this wine energy and excitement. Full to medium body with a fine, dense mid-palate that takes over at the finish. Lots of dried-lemon and fresh-fennel flavors at the end. Exuberant. Drink or hold.

95 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Barrel Sample. While it is certainly rich, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc also has great swathes of crisp fruit. Notes of spice and toast are already finely in balance. It is beautiful and harmonious, full of tropical fruits as well as a zesty aftertaste.

95 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Features bracing hints of lemon pith, chalk, thyme and fleur de sel, but leans toward the plumper side in the end, with delicious shortbread and yellow apple notes stretching out through the finish. Shows remarkable purity and serious length. Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2028. 833 cases made.  –JM

95 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2016 Pavillon Blanc is impressive today. I am especially captivated by the wine's tremendous aromatic presence and overall persistence. In the glass, the 2016 offers an enticing interplay of fruit richness and perfume, with strands of salinity that give t wine shape and energy. Citrus, orchard fruit and white flowers add the closing shades of nuance.

94 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux features fresh grapefruit, white peaches and lemon juice scents springing from the glass, followed by lime leaves, wet pebbles and elderflower plus a touch of honeysuckle. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and fresh with loads of vivacity and a long, mineral-laced finish.

94 POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck

Always based on Sauvignon Blanc and brought up in 20% new French oak, the 2016 Pavillon Blanc shows a racy, reductive style that slowly opens up in the glass and shows more and more richness. Beautiful notes of crushed citrus, tart peach, and bright minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied, concentrated white that has high yet integrated acidity, flawless balance, and a great finish. It’s hard to resist, yet I suspect it will keep for decades.

Matthew Jukes

(100 Sauvignon Blanc)