Château Pavie Macquin 2020

Particularly complex aromas of flowers, herbs, and pink grapefruit; crystal-clear attack, bitter development, palpable breed and minerality, yet also great temperament, very long finish; a one-of-a-kind wine that absolutely should be aged for a long time.

Very expressive, with a lovely violet and cassis set of aromas and flavors that spill forth, though this keeps focus and form, as subtle minerality and a very fine-grained structure allows this to flow gracefully through the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2028 through 2040. 4,800 cases made.

Vivid and vibrant nose, full of rose petals, lilac floral edges, strawberries and black cherries. Forward, expressive, perfumed, alive. Sensual on the palate, smooth, velvety soft, intense but well balanced with a gorgeous plush, mouthful of ripe tannins. Really very good with the right intensity, structure and push. Powerful but controlled, poised yet plush, wild and raw yet pretty too with tons of energy and St-Emilion glamour. Has a core of juicy, bright red fruits with a grainy, herbal edge to the strawberries, a lovely bitterness, and edges of liquorice, slate and wet stone - nuanced and aromatic. I love this, they haven't pushed too far and the acidity is brilliant. Clean and precise.

I have never had a Pavie Macquin like this. It’s so fresh and vivid with black cherry, currant and raspberry character, as well as citrus. Some mineral and spice. Salt, too. The palate is full and linear with a verticality that takes you so deep and long. Endless. Transparent. Drink after 2028.

The 2020 Pavie Macquin is sensational. Rich, dark and explosive, the 2020 balances the natural richness that is such a signature of the estate with a level of energy and vibrancy I have not seen here in the recent past. The result is a towering, imposing Pavie Macquin that hugely delivers. In this vintage, régisseur Nicolas Thienpont did not use the Cabernet Sauvignon, so the blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with the Franc lending aromatic presence, energy and depth. What a total knock out!

Inky in color, with dark purple accents, the wine explodes with flowers, incense, licorice, black fruit and touches of blueberries. Rich, intense, flamboyant, sensuous and silky, this hits all your pleasure buttons simultaneously. The wine paints your palate with layers of decadently ripe fruit that is simultaneously sweet, fresh and dense. The seamless finish does not quit. Instead it builds and expands, growing in intensity and complexity. This is going to be stunning with a decade or so of aging. 96-98 Pts

Deep ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Attractive bouquet of sea buckthorn, liquorice and vanilla, with fine nuances of noble wood underneath, plenty of red fruit and candied orange zest. Complex, juicy red cherry fruit, finesse, vibrant acidity, ripe, integrated tannins, long-lasting, fruity finish, saline aftertaste.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: fresh, jammy, sweet bouquet, cherry compote, raspberry jam, mint, fresh herbs. Creamy, broad, fruity palate with powerful, sweet fruit, good tannins, dense structure, sweet aromatics, long, plush finish.

Fresh, jammy, sweet bouquet with cherry compote, raspberry jam, mint and fresh herbs. Creamy, broad and fruity palate with powerful, sweet fruit, good tannins, dense structure, sweet aromatics, and a long, plush finish. 18/20 2026 - 2040

Both opulent and restrained, with layers of creamy blueberry and blackberry fruits, concentrated espresso and cocoa bean, tingles of mandarin peel, a brilliant wine that sings of the appellation and terroir. 15ha estate on superb limestone soils, Stephane Derenoncourt consultant, Nicolas Thienpont director, 31hl/ha yield.

Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Pavie Macquin is deep garnet-purple in color. It bursts with bold notions of baked plums, boysenberries, and fresh, juicy blackberries, plus hints of Indian spices, violets, and clove oil. The full-bodied palate explodes with vibrant black and blue fruits, supported by super-soft tannins and a lively backbone, leading to a long and perfumed finish on this beautiful wine.

96-97

The contrasted expression of this cru, clearly perceptible in the 2020, delights us. On the one hand, it shows remarkable concentration, exceptional chew, and a dark character; on the other, the extraordinary limestone-driven power shapes it with a delightful freshness. A persistent sensation that triggers a gentle, lingering salivation. Besides being crafted with meticulous care, this 2020 displays tremendous vitality. The 2022 we tasted en primeur is absolutely luminous. Moreover, the 2014 (in magnum) is in great shape at the moment, with a slender, invigorating balance.

A nose full of dynamism, powerful and sunlit, offers a broad, heady bouquet of blue fruits, rosemary, damson, then blueberry and redcurrant, elevated by floral notes, spices and white pepper. The juice is fresh and easy to drink, endowed with fine aristocratic breeding, and taffeta-like tannins, discreet yet confident in their charm.

Dark, intense, purple color. Very aromatic, fruity nose with a slight truffle note. A touch of flowers. Soft on the attack, with a creamy feel and a melting, supple body, the wine progresses with moderate power. It finishes flavorful and rather gentle this year.

95–97. Barrel Sample. While the wine certainly has power and density what is really impressive is the glorious black fruits that shine through the texture. The wine's richness is considerable but it is part of a complex series of layers of fruit and final freshness.