Made exclusively from sauvignon blanc, Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux expresses the purity and precision of this noble grape variety. Renowned for its finesse, aromatic richness and balance, it combines elegance, freshness and remarkable ageing potential.

History and winemaking
White wine production at Château Margaux dates back to the late 17th century. The cellar master of the time noted that he was among the first to separate white and red grapes during vinification.

In the 19th century, this white wine was sold under the name “Château Margaux vin de sauvignon”. It has been known as Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux since 1920, and its label has remained virtually unchanged ever since.

The 12-hectare vineyard, planted exclusively with sauvignon blanc, lies on a historic plot of the estate. The vines, averaging around fifty years of age, yield particularly low crops, a guarantee of remarkable concentration and aromatic intensity.

Since the 2009/2010 vintages, the production and selection methods have been completely rethought to achieve an even higher level of precision and excellence, as well as exceptional ageing capacity. Today, around 50% of the harvest is selected for Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, another portion is used for the Pavillon Blanc Second Vin, while the remainder is sold in bulk.

The modern facilities of the new winery, designed by the architect Lord Norman Foster, allow for precise control over both vinification and ageing, ensuring the consistency and purity that have come to define Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux.

Vintage 1995

After an extremely hot and dry summer, the grapes reached an excellent level of ripeness and were partially harvested before the heavy rains of mid-September. The grapes picked immediately afterwards were of course perfectly ripe, but slightly diluted. 

It is an excellent vintage of Pavillon Blanc, the most powerful since 1989. Pavillon Blanc 1995 is now reaching its peak. (February 2025)

Climate
After a very mild winter, the bud-break and flowering were early and even. The whole summer was one of a great vintage: hot and very dry. The quite heavy rain that arrived in the middle of September was without doubt of benefit to the ripening of the grapes. The weather was then superb throughout the harvest. (The picking began on 15th September).

Technical Specs

Alcohol: Approximately 12.5–13.0% ABV
Closure: Natural Cork
Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Historic Sauvignon Blanc plots of Château Margaux
Vine Age: Mature vines, with the estate’s Sauvignon Blanc vineyard averaging around 50 years today
Harvest: Began 15 September 1995
Vintage Conditions: Extremely hot and dry summer; grapes achieved excellent ripeness, with part of the crop harvested before heavy September rainfall
Vinification: Careful selection and vinification of Sauvignon Blanc from the estate’s dedicated white-wine vineyard
Ageing: French oak maturation
Producer: Château Margaux
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Bordeaux Blanc / Margaux, Bordeaux

Château Margaux’s Sauvignon Blanc vineyard is planted on a historic 12-hectare site dedicated exclusively to the variety. The estate notes that only around half of the harvest is selected for the grand vin in modern vintages, with the remainder going to the Second Vin or sold in bulk.

Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
Decanting: 20–30 minutes if needed; older bottles should be handled gently and tasted shortly after opening.
Food Pairing: Excellent with lobster, scallops, oysters, grilled or roasted fish, shellfish, roast poultry, goat cheese and other delicate dishes where its mature richness and freshness can shine.