Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc 2021

Pavillon Blanc is the white counterpart to Château Margaux, produced on a dedicated parcel within the estate in the Médoc, north of the city of Bordeaux. The grapes are grown on deep beds of gravel over clay and limestone, a free draining terroir that warms quickly and ripens Sauvignon Blanc fully while a maritime climate keeps the acidity firm. This is an unusual bottling for the appellation, made entirely from Sauvignon Blanc rather than the more common Bordeaux white blend. Fermentation and around eight months of ageing in oak barrels give the wine breadth without heavy wood character: barrel fermentation and lees contact build texture and a light toasted, faintly buttery register, while the barrel allows a slow oxygen exchange that rounds the palate. The wine is pale gold, with aromas of lemon, white peach and candied citrus lifted by white flowers and fresh herb. The palate is broad and saline, the oak folded into ripe stone fruit, closing long on citrus peel and a mineral finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees in a white Burgundy glass.