2018, Château Pavie Macquin, SAINT-ÉMILION

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2018 Pavie Macquin is voluptuous and exotic to the core. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, mocha, espresso, liquorice and chocolate all race out of the glass. Pliant, supple and silky, the 2018 is lights out. This is an especially heady, flamboyant style, so readers should be prepared for a pretty intense Saint-Émilion. That said, the new oak has now integrated quite nicely. 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2021).

The 2018 Pavie Macquin was impressive out of barrel. It has retained its opulent bouquet, perhaps becoming even more luxuriant and plush, offering copious black cherries, cassis and violet aromas and hints of vanilla pod and iodine in the background. The palate is where this really impresses, because its opulence is effortlessly counterbalanced by a bead of acidity that imparts freshness and tension. This is a multilayered Pavie Macquin endowed with tremendous length on the aftertaste. Even after 60 seconds I can still feel this Saint-Émilion lapping upon my senses. Superb. 96 Neal Martin, Vinous (2021).

The 2018 Pavie Macquin is a blend of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, it slowly, sensuously unfurls to reveal a gorgeous perfume of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, baked plums and violets, with nuances of liquorice, Indian spices and fertile loam. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has achingly plush tannins and fantastic freshness framing the spicy black fruit and mineral layers, finishing long and so, so fragrant. Wow—just stunning! 97 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2021).

This is just so good. Not overly big, it has nuance, sapidity and grace, with space between the lines. It's not sacrificing its concentration but it gives you a chance to get onboard and accompany it along the way. I love the quality of the brambled blackberry and loganberry fruit here, and the touch of austerity that gives a welcome note of bitter chocolate to the finish. It has great tannic grip and there's no question that this will age well, but it's also extremely drinkable now. Tasted several times, and each occasion blew me away. My favourite vintage to date from this property.47hl/ha yields, as in 2016. 98 Jane Anson, Decanter (2019).

Drinking Window: 2028 - 2058