Bordeaux icon Château Margaux has announced that the estate's dry white wine, Pavillon Blanc, is getting a little brother. The new second wine was made for the first time from Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the 2022 vintage and is now being launched on the market in an edition of 8,000 bottles.
Château Margaux has a long history of white wine production dating back to the 18th century, initially under the name "Château Margaux Vin Blanc de Sauvignon." In 1920, the wine was rebranded as "Pavillon Blanc." Over the years, the estate has refined its quality selection process for Pavillon Blanc to the point where even the "second choice" grapes now exhibit such high quality that the decision was made to vinify them as well. Remarkably, the estate chose the 2022 vintage to launch this second wine, a year characterized by some of the lowest yields in the château's history.
Early harvest, big potential
To preserve the wine's freshness, the Sauvignon grapes were harvested on August 18, marking the earliest harvest start date on the estate. This decision was prompted by a hot, dry summer, during which there were "over six weeks without a drop of rain." Described as complex and floral, creamy with a salty finish, the wine is noted to have a "minimum aging potential of 20 years." According to inquiries made by the German wine trade magazine Weinwirtschaft, the wine was bottled in June 2023 after nine months of aging, with a yield of just 15 hectoliters per hectare. Château Margaux reports the alcohol content at 13% ABV, with "no residual sugar" present.
The wine will be distributed through La Place de Bordeaux and is expected to be available soon in specialty stores. The suggested retail price is set at €135/0,75l. VM
