2016 Château Pavie Macquin

The 2016 Pavie-Macquin has a harmonious, intense bouquet of layered black cherry, bilberry and light tobacco notes; the oak is very well integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, and slightly higher in acidity than I would like, although it has an irresistible silky finish. The question is, where will it go? I have found a little bottle variation and I feel this suffered because the palate might be closing down. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 

- Neal Martin (01/2020)

This is very linear and driven with a precise and driven center palate. Full-bodied, tight and compact. Energetic and well formed. Give it at least five years. Try from 2024. (12/2019)

Possibly the finest vintage of this cuvée to date, the 2016 Château Pavie Macquin comes from a cooler, later terroir on the upper plateau and checks in as 82% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 50% new oak. This deep, inky-colored effort boasts a rock star bouquet of blackcurrants, black cherries, white truffle, graphite, and spice. Deep, rich, and powerful on the palate, yet also balanced, elegant, and seamless, with ultra-fine tannins, this seamless beauty needs a decade of cellaring and will keep for 4-5 decades. (02/2019)

Pavie Macquin 2016 has a deep garnet color and is a little closed to begin, offering glimpses of plum preserves, Morello cherries, and blackberry pie scents, followed by hints of menthol, candied violets, dark chocolate, and wood smoke, with a touch of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, the palate delivers amazing tension to counter the richness, textured by plush, rounded tannins, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. (12/2022)

Engaging, with a gush of warm raspberry, plum and boysenberry compote flavors leading the way, while red licorice, apple wood and sweet tobacco notes strut through the finish. Nice intensity overall gives this a mouthwatering echo and pulls you back for more. Best from 2023 through 2038.

- J.M.