Chateau Pavie Macquin 2019

WEINWISSER: "78 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 47 hl/ ha, 90 % Grand Vin. Sattes Purpurrot mit lila Rand. Sehr komplexes Bouquet mit zarten Anklängen an Heidelbeeren, dahinter erkalteter Waldfrüchtetee und Holundersaft. Mit etwas Luft findet man im zweiten Ansatz Nougatpralinen und viel Cassiswürze. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit engmaschigem Körper und reifem Extrakt gepaart mit einer energiegeladenen Rasse. Im gebündelten Finale explodiert der Gigant mit einem Korb frisch gepflückter schwarzer Johannisbeeren, Graphitspuren und zarter Adstringenz. Der hat das Zeug, einer der grössten Pavie-Macquin der Geschichte zu erden. Nimmt einem förmlich den Atem!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Lots of roses and dark fruit, such as blackberries and brambleberries on the nose. Full-bodied, yet tight and poised, with real focus and firmness and seamless tannins that run the length of the wine. Minerality and persistence in a cool way. This is very serious for the vintage and for the cellar. Try after 2025."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Intensiv nach Lakritze und kandierten Veilchen, feines Cassis ist unterlegt, etwas Vanille und Mandarinenzesten im Hintergrund. Komplex, straff, mineralische Textur, reife Tannine, rote Fruchtnuancen, salziger Terroirkuss, frisch und lange anhaftend, zeigt seine Klasse, großes Zukunftspotenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Full-bodied, concentrated, and loaded with ripe, very ripe, and perfectly ripe red with black fruits, flowers, spice, mocha, and smoke is intoxicating. Long, lush, rich, and supple, there is density along with lift, length, and complexity which makes for an exciting tasting experience. The finish really holds on and expands as it lingers. Drink from 2025-2047."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2019 Pavie Macquin has turned out very well indeed, unwinding in the glass with aromas of blackcurrants, cherries, burning embers, black truffle and licorice, framed by a deft framing of new oak that's more discreet than was the case even a few vintages back. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's deep and layered, with a strikingly vibrant core of fruit, powdery, chalky tannins and a long, penetrating, youthfully firm finish. Tasted alongside older vintages, it's clear that the Thienpont team have eased off extraction, which allows the quality of fruit that this fantastic vineyard produces to express itself all the more completely, delivering the finest Pavie Macquin since 1998."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2019 Château Pavie Macquin comes from a beautiful, cooler terroir located just outside the village of Saint-Emilion. A wine that always demands bottle age, its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a tight, reserved wine with notes of ripe cassis, mulberry, and blackberry fruits as well as notes of spring flowers, sandalwood, and flowers. The purity is truly something, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, layered mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. This is a wonderfully complete, nuanced, flawlessly balanced Pavie Macquin that will round into form with just 5-6 years of bottle age yet keep for 2-3 decades."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2019 Pavie Macquin is a blend of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out with notes of kirsch, wild blueberries, and chocolate-covered cherries, plus suggestions of violets, cedar, and pencil lead. The full-bodied palate is packed with juicy black and red fruits, supported by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing fragrant."

DECANTER: "Gorgeous ripe aromatic blackcurrants on the nose. Seriously expressive with sweet touches of milk chocolate - an element of Black Forest gateau to this. Direct and linear on the palate, focussed and precise but with excellent clarity and minerality. You get the blood iron, wet stone slate in both flavour and texture on the tongue against the high toned cherry and redcurrant fruit. Lots of energy here, it's almost holding back from being fully expressive. Great potential and lovely finish with chocolate, minty freshness and liquorice spice. Drinking Window 2025 - 2043"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The wine, from the vineyard on the top of the Pavie hill, is complex and rich. Solid tannins and dark fruits show strongly here with power and density. The weight of the wine is lightened by acidity that shines through this fine wine. Drink from 2026."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This unfurls as seductively as a cashmere scarf, offering black tea and incense notes amidst a lush wave of dark plum, fig and blackberry reduction flavors. The subtle inlay of charcoal, tobacco and sweet bay adds length and detail through the finish. Gorgeous. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2038. 5,500 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Sweet and juicy and racy – real energy here. With a certain salinity. And great persistence."