Pavie Macquin 2018 (1.5L)

98 JA / 98 DE / 97+ JD / 97 WA / 97 JS / 97 WCI / 97 FS / 96 WS / 96 VM / 96 WI / 94-96 WE / 17 JR

#92 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of France 2021

One of the standouts of the vintage, with blackcurrant fruits that are layered through with bitter black chocolate, espresso, smoked earth and gourmet bioche notes. There is a generosity here that makes it all the more impressive when it switches out of the exuberance into a tighter squeeze of oyster-shell minerality and a tight core of tannins that pulse with electricity. Once again you are reminded of the architecture of Pavie-Macquin, and the ability of clay-limestone to deliver both power and restraint, and to allow for space and breathing room between the tannins. Part of the oustanding vintages series within this vertical. 60% new oak, 47hl/ha yields. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

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.-Decanter

One of my favorite wines, the 2018 Château Pavie Macquin is 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from a cooler terroir above Pavie. This Cuvée is always hard to judge in its youth, since it's often closed and reserved, but it builds beautifully with bottle age and offers an incredibly classic, complex, powerful, and elegant profile at maturity. Brought up in 70% new French oak, the 2018 reveals a dense purple hue as well as classic Saint-Emilion notes of cassis, black cherries, white truffle, chalky minerality, violets, and tobacco. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has polished tannins, a wonderfully pure, elegant texture, and the balance and class to benefit from a decade of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2018 Pavie Macquin is a blend of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly, sensuously unfurls to reveal a gorgeous perfume of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, baked plums and violets, with nuances of licorice, 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!- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

Violets, blackcurrants, cloves, tobacco, orange zest and dark chocolate on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins and fresh acidity. Sleek and refined with elegant floral and spice notes on a long finish. Interesting hint of bitterness at the end. Try from 2025. - James Suckling

Sleek, pure, aromatic and streamlined version, with lovely cassis, cherry puree, violet and mesquite notes tightly wound together, while anise and savory hints peek in. Long finish is carried by chalky minerality. A wine of poise. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2037. 5,500 cases made. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

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. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Pavie Macquin 2018 is deep garnet purple in color. It opens with notes of mocha and violets, giving way to prunes, blueberry pie, and sandalwood, with a touch of menthol. Full-bodied, rich and plush, the palate has bags of spicy fruit and a long, fragrant finish.-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

94–96. Barrel Sample. The pure black currant fruits of this exemplary wine are matched with bright acidity and ripe, solid tannins. It is impressively rich and will certainly age well. — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast