This drastic selection of the Chateau white wine was made possible through extensive analysis and understanding of the different soils in the plots of white grapes. As a result, Château Margauxhas been able to drastically improve its   grape quality in the   vineyard using less than half the grapes for this wine. Each plot is harvested at optimal ripeness, and aged in individual lots before final blending.

This rigorous work helped improve the quality of Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux significantly. It also resulted in a second selection of high quality making the estate decide to bottle it starting with the 2022 vintage and calling it the second vin- and thus was born Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc Second Vin, according to a Press Release a couple of days ago.

Made   from   100%   Sauvignon   Blanc,   like the first quality Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, and produced from the estate’s historic vines, Pavillon Blanc Second Vin may be enjoyed younger but will also age harmoniously for at least twenty years. It is only the fifth wine launched by the estate in five centuries and will be distributed by the wine merchants of the Place de Bordeaux.

It will soon be available from specialized retailers and their websites but is already being offered in London from £285 (about Rs. 30,000) in bond for a case of three bottles whereas Pavillon Blanc 2022 is being offered from £795 (about Rs. 84,000) in bond for a case of three bottles.

Pavillon Blanc Second Vin 2022

2022 was the hottest and driest year on record for Château Margaux. Three long and intense heat waves followed one another during the summer, while more than six long weeks went by without a single drop of rain. The estate decided to start harvesting the white plots on the 18th of August in order to preserve the freshness of the wines. The white harvest was thus the earliest in the estate’s history and gave birth to an amazing vintage producing wines with aromatic complexity and concentration.

Pavillon Blanc Second Vin has a complex and floral nose leading to a creamy palate balanced by a fresh, saline finish. Only 8,000 bottles were produced for this first vintage, with yields among the lowest in the history of the Estate.

Due to heavy import duties in India, it is difficult to find importers for either the first or the second white wine in India. But delWine has always recommended a second wine from a First Growth or the top wine of a Second Growth Bordeaux as the best value-for-money wines of excellent quality and it would be worth your while to pick up a couple of bottles when in London and bring it duty free.

Subhash Arora