2008 Ch. Pavie Macquin, St Emilion

Richness combined with a sense of terroir has fast become Ch. Pavie Macquin’s trademark style and the 2008 is no exception. Plush fruit from the 85% Merlot is superbly balanced by refreshing acidity from the 14% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Nicolas Thienpont says that the dry weather after 10th September “saved the vintage” and he could well be right. What he omits to mention is that excellent viticultural decisions and superb winemaking skills are also responsible for creating a wonderful wine with layers of chocolaty complexity and a very rewarding finish. Bravo, Nicolas.Château Pavie Macquin

Bright healthy crimson. Rich, juicy, succulent fruit. Really appetising. Lots of ripe fruit plus lots of acid and ripe tannin. Truly a youthful, but promising, package. Well done! Maybe just a tad too tart? Or maybe this will keep it going splendidly for the long life it deserves.
(Jancis Robinson MW - jancisrobinson.com - Apr 09)

Consultants Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt have produced a beautiful St.-Emilion that tastes like the quintessence of crushed rocks intermixed with blueberry, blackberry, black raspberry, liquorice, camphor and truffle notes. This full-bodied effort should drink well in 4-5 years, and last for two decades or more. It achieved 14.5% natural alcohol.
(Robert Parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011)

. It is another superb effort from this property that was elevated to premier grand cru classe status until a judge in Libourne, for unknown reasons, threw out the classification, a decision beyond belief, that is now under appeal.

A number of exceptional wines have emerged from Pavie Macquin, which is managed by Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt, and the 2008 boasts a whopping 14.5% natural alcohol, higher than in 2005, 2000, or 1998. While extremely high in tannin and very unevolved, for those with patience and cold cellars, or who plan to pass on their wines to their children, this is a worthwhile choice.

It is that backward, concentrated, and impressive. It exhibits a black/purple colour in addition to stunning notes of graphite, black fruits, underbrush, chocolate, and roasted coffee beans. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, the high but sweet tannins, combined with the freshness of the acids make for a remarkably youthful, nuanced wine that should easily age for three decades.
(Robert Parker- Wine Advocate- April 2009)