Château Pavie Macquin 1998

Nearly exaggerated levels of intensity, extract, and richness are apparent in this opaque blue/purple-colored wine. Sumptuous aromas of blueberries, blackberries, and cherries combine with smoke, licorice, vanillin, and truffles to create a compelling aromatic explosion. The wine is fabulously dense, full-bodied, and layered, with multiple dimensions, gorgeous purity, and superbly integrated acidity as well as tannin. One of the most concentrated wines of the vintage, it possesses immense potential, but patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2030.

Just hitting its stride now, this pulls together fleshy yet elegant cherry, plum and blackberry fruit, along with notes of black tea, sandalwood and incense. The chalky spine is fully integrated and very long. This shows a caressing feel on the finish before the wine reasserts itself at the very end, adding lovely contrast and mouthfeel. Derenoncourt feels this is the first true grand vin of Pavie Macquin, for that minerality and precision. -- Non-blind Pavie Macquin vertical (December 2014). Drink now through 2020. 4,091 cases made.

Deep crimson. Some charred notes on the nose. Very brutal and almost sour. Horribly exaggerated oak tannins. Hole in the middle. Bad bottle. (JR)

The 1998 Pavie-Macquin is by far the most important wine of the 1990s at Pavie-Macquin. All of the signatures of the estate are present. A wine of textural depth and resonance, the 1998 captures all of the intensity this site is capable of. Dark red cherry fruit, kirsch, smoke and spice build in a stunning, riveting wine that hits all the right notes. It was a near-perfect growing season, with hot days, cool nights and enough dryness to concentrate the fruit but not overly stress the vines.

1998 Pavie Macquin is at its peak, balancing fruits with secondary notes, freshness and the patina of age. No decanting needed, pop and pour all the sweet, ripe, salty plums, cherries, licorice, chocolate, sprigs of mint and touch of fig. Lush, round and mildly polished, at a few weeks before its 24th birthday, this is just great!

Fully mature, yet with plenty of life ahead of it, the 1998 Château Pavie Macquin reveals a ruby/plum hue to go with straight-up textbook Saint-Emilion notes of red and black currants, white truffle, dried flowers, lead pencil, leather, and tobacco. These all carry to a deep, rich, concentrated wine that has a beautiful balance in its acidity, tannins, and fruit, a core of sweet fruit, plenty of mid-palate density, and outstanding length. While I don't think the tannin quality matches what this estate is producing today, this is a brilliant, mature 1998 that brings loads of character and charm. This wine comes from a cooler, limestone terroir located above Château Pavie, on the upper plateau, and is based on 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Medium garnet-purple color with a ruby rim, still completely intact. An intense fruity bouquet: red forest berries, peppery notes with a floral shimmer, and a wonderful, gently jammy sweetness behind. A textured palate, again very fruity, nicely supported by tannins that still call for a bit more age. Red plums and the first hints of chocolate on the finish. Overall medium-bodied, but honest and long, perhaps still gaining; carrying reserves within, with artisanal notes in the background.

99: A dense, compact cherry bouquet (sour cherries) with an almost lavish amount of ripe raspberries. On the palate, juicy, with a soft, silky extract; again more red-berry-driven, yet with a distinctly perfumed interplay. The tannins are very ripe and will give the wine a long, early-accessible phase of fruit. Lots of sex appeal. (18/20). 06: Medium purple-garnet with a ruby rim, still completely intact. Intense fruit bouquet: red forest berries, peppery with a floral shimmer, showing a terrific, gently confit-like sweetness underneath. Full, textured palate, again very fruity and nicely supported by tannins that still call for a bit more ageing; red plums and a first hint of chocolate on the finish. Overall medium-bodied, but honest and long; it may still gain, as it has reserves, though there are artisanal notes in the background.

Opulent, slightly jammy bouquet with blackberry jelly, tar and mocha. Broad, slightly muted, dry palate with plenty of tannin, a broad structure and a long, dense finish. 17/20 drink by 2022

Tertiary white truffle and smoked earth notes curl out of the glass here, with brickish red tones around the edge of the still-ruby core. Still vibrating with life at almost 25 years old, nuanced and delicate with blackberry and soft crushed raspberry coulis. Saffron on full display, along with smoked caramel and freshly crushed mint leaf that is almost more pronounced on the finish here than in any other in the lineup. Part of the oustanding vintages series within this vertical.

A powerful 1998—smooth, long, with beautiful aromas—still a little reserved; it will go far.

A deep, intense, beautiful colour. A refined, fruity, creamy nose, developing with aeration towards a hint of curry. The palate surprises with its breadth and volume. The wine develops with great style towards a complex, noble finish, even if the tannins are still present. Full of character.