2008 Ch Pavie Macquin Grand Cru Classé St Emilion

Tasting Notes

Goedhuis, May 2009, Score: 90-93

Nicolas Thienpont, the cousin of Jacques (Le Pin) and Alexandre (Vieux Château Certan), has been making tremendous strides with this domaine well over the past decade. His 2008 is no exception. Plump and ripe with attractive notes of blueberry compote, wild cherries and dark chocolate, this powerful wine leads to a complex, layered palate and lingering finish.

Robert Parker, April 2009, Score: 93-95

I tasted this wine on four occasions, on one of which I was convinced it was still going through malolactic fermentation. 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 color 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. Drink: 2009 - 2039

Jancis Robinson, April 2009, Score: 17

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.

Wine Spectator, April 2009, Score: 90-93

Flowers such as violets galore on the nose. Ripe fruit too. Full-bodied, with bright fruit and citrusy acidity. Long and racy. Really bright and wonderful.

St Emilion

South of Pomerol lies the medieval, perched village of St Emilion. Surrounding this village are vines that produce round, rich and often hedonistic wines. Despite a myriad of soil types, two main ones dominate - the gravelly, limestone slopes that delve down to the valley from the plateau and the valley itself which is comprised of limestone, gravel, clay and sand. Despite its popularity today, it was not until the 1980s to early 1990s that attention was brought to this region. Robert Parker, the famous wine critic, began reviewing their Merlot-dominated wines and giving them hefty scores. The rest is history as they say. Similar to the Médoc, there is a classification system in place which dates from 1955 and outlines several levels of quality. These include its regional appellation of St Emilion, St Emilion Grand Cru, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé and St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, which is further divided into "A" (Ausone and Cheval Blanc) and "B" (including Angélus, Canon, Figeac and a handful of others). To ensure better accuracy, the classification is redone every 10 years enabling certain châteaux to be upgraded or downgraded depending on on the quality of their more recent vintages.

Château Pavie Macquin

One of the few châteaux in Bordeaux that is biodynamically farmed, Pavie Macquin has long been one of the top wines of St Emilion which aficionados liken to Lafleur of Pomerol. It is managed by the ultra dynamic Nicolas Thienpont who uses oenologists Michel Rolland and Stéphane Derononcourt as his right hand men.

Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon

The three classic Bordeaux grapes in a combination favoured on the Right Bank of the river, where Merlot thrives. It's ripe, soft fruit and texture is well-balanced by the firmer tannins and distinctive currant fruit of the Cabernets. Notable wines made from this blend are Angelus and Vieux Chateau Certan.