Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2005 is the historic second wine of the legendary First Growth estate, crafted with the same precision and expertise that define Château Margaux. A remarkable vintage, it showcases the richness and elegance of the 2005 Bordeaux season with a balanced blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. Awarded 92 points by Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Decanter, this refined Margaux reveals expressive aromas of crushed roses, red berries, plum, sweet tobacco, and subtle spice. The palate is full-bodied and silky, with ripe fruit, supple tannins, vibrant freshness, and a graceful floral finish. Drinking beautifully now with further ageing potential, this is a superb opportunity to experience the elegance of Château Margaux at its second-wine level.

Wine Spectator | WS 92
Published: Sep 31, 2008

Very beautiful aromas of crushed flowers--like roses--follow through to plum, berry and Indian spices. Full-bodied, refined and silky, with lovely ripe fruit and a delicate aftertaste of raisin and flowers. Best after 2012.

Wine Enthusiast | WE 92
Published: Jan 6, 2008

All about red fruits, this is a celebration of ripe Merlot and Cabernet. It is touched with wood, but the flavors are of lively acidity, red berries, just showing some bitter chocolate. And to finish, more freshness. — Roger Voss

Decanter | D 92
Published: Sep 7, 2020
Drink: 2020-2032

Silky textured, full of sweet tobacco, fleshy raspberry and red cherry notes,. A little more open than its Pauillac siblings at this point, with the finely-boned structure and multi-layered aromatics that you look for in the wines of Château Margaux. A high percentage of Merlot in this vintage because the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon performed so well that it was given precedence in the main estate wine. One of the richest in alcohol and tannins produced at the property to date, and ready to go at 15 years old.
Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol: 13.50%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon 48% Merlot 4% Petit Verdot

The Wine Advocate | RP 91
Published: Apr 30, 2008
Drink: 2008-2023

Margaux’s second wine gets better with each vintage. The 2005 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (200,000 bottles produced) is an equal part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a hefty alcohol content. Fleshy, opulent, and nearly decadent, with terrific fruit, a creamy texture, and supple tannin, it can be enjoyed over the next 12-15+ years.

Jancis Robinson | JR 17.5
Published: Feb 23, 2017
Drink: 2017-2040

Tasted blind. Racy and exciting. Lots of vigour and supple fruit. Very classy – though a note of coconut came in. Still quite a bit of tannin on the end, but it should all resolve itself pretty well. Jancis Robinson

Chateau-margaux.com

Produced since the 17th century, Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux is the estate’s historic second wine and the oldest second wine in the Médoc. It has borne the name Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux since the 1906 vintage.

Sourced from the estate’s most emblematic plots and crafted with the same expertise as the Grand Vin, it embodies the rigour and exacting standards that define a First Growth.

- 2005 -

An amazing 2005! The Merlot that was not allowed a place in the blend of the Grand Vin brings incredible power and life to the Pavillon Rouge. It makes up 48% of the blend! The cabernet sauvignon (also 48%) brings both the density and restraint that might otherwise have been lacking in the flesh of the merlot. The petit verdot (4%) plays its discreet yet necessary role as a seasonning. The wine as a whole is surprisingly powerful, fat and balanced—that’s the magic of blending! 2005, along with 2010 and 2015, is the richest Pavillon Rouge that we have ever produced, both in tannin and alcohol. It is already very good to drink, but will benefit from being kept a few more years. (October 2025)