2016 Château Pavie Macquin - 6er OHK

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.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Pavie Macquin charges out of the glass with gregarious black cherries, warm blackberries and wild blueberries scents followed up by loads of red roses, baking spices, cedar chest and unsmoked cigars sparks plus a waft of wild thyme. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is an exercise in poise, revealing layer upon layer of cherries and berries flavors and tons of savory nuances, framed by firm yet exquisitely ripe tannins, finishing very long.

- Lisa Perrotti-Brown (11/2018)