Château Pavie Macquin

‘The 2015 Pavie Macquin is another tremendous wine from Nicolas Thienpont.’
Antonio Galloni

Quality and consistency are the keywords at Pavie Macquin, at least since 1998 when the property began a resurgence. The deft hand of Stéphane Derononcourt and Nicolas Thienpont has clearly been felt. The combination of clay topsoil and limestone beneath lends a weight to the wine which the estate strive to temper with a seam of finesse. In 2015 this is evident.

A freshness and aromatic fragrance helps to lift and offset the latent, brooding intensity of the fruit. It melds together these disparate components into a harmonious blend. For those who enjoy the house style it is worth seeking out. The price has been placed between the 2009 and 2010 which is an accurate reflection of the class of the wine.

Château Pavie Macquin, St-Émilion
£565 Per 12 Bottles En Primeur
£285 Per 6 Bottles En Primeur
£290 Per 3 Magnums En Primeur
£575 Per 6 Magnums En Primeur

It has an almost decadent bouquet, perhaps more lascivious than the 2015 Larcis-Ducasse tasted alongside (as part of Nicolas Thienpont's "stable"), with fig-tinged red cherry and blackberry fruit, powerful but perhaps needing to muster a little more finesse? The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of citrus-fresh fruit. There is more nuance and precision here at the moment, fleshy and sensual with blood orange and cassis layered over the exuberant finish. It should be a delicious Saint Emilion this year, although I feel that the Larcis-Ducasse will have the sophistication and more longevity.
Drink 2020 – 2040
91-93/100, Neal Martin

The 2015 Pavie Macquin is another tremendous wine from Nicolas Thienpont and his team. Inky, rich and voluptuous the 2015 is endowed with remarkable depth and plenty of underlying energy to back it all up. The flavors are dark, bold and incisive, as are the tannins. The 2015 is going to require quite a bit of time to come together, but it is impressive, that much is obvious.
93-96/100, Antonio Galloni