2016 Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge

Château Margaux is one of the most prestigious and historic wine estates in Bordeaux, France. Located in the Margaux appellation, it is one of only five wines classified as a First Growth (Premier Cru) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The estate's history dates back to the 12th century, with wine production beginning in the 16th century. Château Margaux is renowned for producing wines of exceptional elegance, complexity, and longevity, primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. The estate also produces a highly regarded white wine, Pavillon Blanc, from Sauvignon Blanc.

The Margaux appellation is one of the most prestigious areas within Bordeaux's Left Bank. Margaux is the largest of the Médoc's communal appellations, known for producing some of the most elegant and perfumed wines in Bordeaux. The region benefits from its proximity to the Gironde estuary, which moderates temperatures and creates a suitable microclimate for viticulture. Margaux wines are typically characterized by their finesse, aromatic complexity, and silky tannins.

The legendary quality of Château Margaux wines is intrinsically linked to its remarkable terroir. The estate's vineyards cover 82 hectares on a gravelly outcrop overlooking the Gironde estuary. This elevation, known as the "Plateau de Margaux," features deep gravel soils mixed with clay and limestone, providing excellent drainage and heat retention. The unique soil composition, combined with the vineyard's proximity to the Gironde estuary, creates a microclimate that is ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. These factors contribute to the wine's signature characteristics of finesse, aromatic complexity, and silky tannins, embodying what many consider to be the quintessence of the Margaux appellation.