The 2018 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is a Bordeaux blend from the renowned Chateau Margaux in the Margaux sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This wine is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, and it comes with a 14.5% alcohol content. The wine is sealed with a cork closure and is noted for its deep, garnet-purple color.

Decanter describes this wine as “richly coloured, almost inky,” and highlights its “raspberry and brambled fruits” with a texture and density that make it quite seductive. The review notes the wine’s high tannins, evidenced by its closing finish (82IPT), and compares it to the 2009 vintage, stating it is “an enjoyable Pavillon, all parts present and correct and well assembled” (Decanter, 4/1/2019, 92 points).

Vinous reviewer Neal Martin praises the 2018 Pavillon Rouge for its “intense red cherry, pomegranate, crushed violet petals and hints of iodine on the nose.” He points out the wine’s balance, mentioning its “silky-smooth tannins” and “taut line of acidity.” Martin appreciates the “nascent energy” and the “seam of black pepper enlivening the finish," suggesting that the wine has “great potential” (Vinous, 11/14/2019, 92-94 points).

Lisa Perrotti-Brown from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provides a detailed tasting note, noting the wine’s “vivacious scents of chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries and blackcurrant pastilles” along with “earthy and savory accents.” She describes the palate as “medium to full-bodied” with a “generous amount of black fruit at the core” and a “soft, approachable frame,” suggesting it will drink nicely over the next 15 to 18 years (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 3/31/2021, 93 points).

Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss awards an excellent score of 95 points, calling the wine “powerfully dense” and noting its “rich black fruits” balanced by acidity. He predicts that the wine “will age well” and recommends drinking from 2026 (Wine Enthusiast, 5/1/2021).

James Suckling also gives the wine a high score of 95 points, highlighting its “blackberry, plum, light earth and undergrowth on the nose” and “rich, chewy tannins.” He advises trying it after 2024 (James Suckling, 1/26/2021).

Jeb Dunnuck shares similar enthusiasm, describing it as “no lightweight effort” with “gorgeous crème de cassis, black cherry, crushed violets, sandalwood, smoke tobacco, and incense.” He emphasizes its “medium to full-bodied richness” and suggests hiding bottles for 3-5 years (Jeb Dunnuck, 3/11/2021, 95 points).

Wine Spectator’s J.M. notes the “singed alder” framing “gently steeped plum and black currant flavors” and praises its “seductive” finish (Wine Spectator, 1/13/2021, 93 points).

Lastly, Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com describes it as “elegant, refined and aromatic” with “flowers, smoked herbs, cigar box and ripe, red fruits,” recommending a few years of aging before consuming (TheWineCellarInsider.com, 3/9/2021, 94 points).

In summary, the 2018 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux is a well-reviewed, balanced, and dense Bordeaux blend that promises to age gracefully.