Pavie Macquin 2015 (375ML)

98 JS / 97 WE / 97 VM / 96 WS / 94 JD / 94 WA / 94 DE

#95 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of 2018

So much violet and lilac aromas to this with blackberry and blueberry character, too. Full-bodied and delivering limestone, chalk and lavender on the palate. Great structure, too. Needs four or five years to soften. Better in 2022. - James Suckling

This is a beautifully crafted, structured wine. From its ripe black-currant fruits through the acidity and tense tannins, to the full, generous aftertaste, the wine impresses. It has great fruit, balanced acidity and a good potential. Drink from 2025. - Wine Enthusiast 

One of the highlights of the vintage, the 2015 Pavie Macquin is positively stellar. A veritable explosion of super-ripe red cherry, rose petal and mocha makes a strong opening statement. Silky on the palate, with soft tannins and tons of sheer exoticism, the 2015 is stunningly beautiful. All of the signatures of the site are turned up to the maximum in this vivid, head-spinning wine from estate manager Nicolas Thienpont and his team. Don't miss it! - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Ripe, pure and expressive, with a beautiful panoply of loganberry, plum and red currant preserve flavors that meld seamlessly with anise and singed apple wood details and a subtle chalky spine. A bright floral accent on the finish lifts this up a register and lets it sail on, holding that note. Best from 2020 through 2040. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Notes of cassis, toasted spice, toasty oak, and crushed flowers emerge from the 2015 Château Pavie Macquin, and it’s a rockin’ effort that marries elegance with full-bodied power and structure. With fine, fine tannin, high, yet integrated acidity, and a great mid-palate, it’s more approachable than either of the other Pavie releases, yet is still backward and unevolved. Give bottles 4-5 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following two to three decades. - Jeb Dunnuck

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pavie Macquin bursts forth from the glass with profound notions of plum preserves, fruit cake, Indian spices and chargrilled meat with touches of black soil, mocha, cedar chest and unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, voluptuously fruited and decadently styled in the mouth, the packed layers of black fruit preserves and exotic spices are well-matched by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness that sits comfortably in the background, finishing with great length and depth. - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

Tight and firm, this needs time to open and soften but there is no doubting the quality of the ingredients. Young St-Émilion can be tough to taste in great vintages, as they often present an unrelenting wall of fruit, but this is pristine - the tannins are flexible and the power is well balanced. - Decanter