Château Pavie Macquin Saint-Emilion 2021 - 1er Grand Cru Classé B

Located right next to Troplong-Mondot, Pavie-Macquin has just been classified as a Premier Grand Cru. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Nicolas Thienpont know how to bring out the best of the terroir while giving it a modern style suited to the tastes of today’s consumers. Full-bodied and rich, Pavie-Macquin’s wine gains in finesse and harmony with each new vintage, showcasing the inimitable truffle notes and mineral tension characteristic of the edge of the Côte Pavie.

This grand cru, a “ Favorite ” compared to the previous vintage, stands out with beautifully ripe grapes in this 2021 vintage and an almost “Mediterranean” character, featuring aromas of licorice, black olives, and spices, complemented by the invigorating menthol note of the Cabernet Franc. The palate is beautifully structured, offering both finesse and depth, built around refined tannins and a freshness with limestone notes that perfectly define the wine’s framework. Definitely a wine with great aging potential. 2029–2040

A new, understated, all-glass tasting room offers a breathtaking view of the village of Saint-Emilion. Pavie-Macquin retained its status as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the latest Saint-Emilion classification in 2012. This well-deserved recognition honors the remarkable work carried out at the château by its manager, Nicolas Thienpont, and his consultant, Stéphane Derenoncourt. Since the late 1990s, this duo has transformed the estate, drawing heavily on biodynamic principles (though not certified). A series of fantastic wines—combining magnificent fruit intensity with great depth on the palate—has crowned this groundwork. These wines stand out from their Pavie and Pavie Decesse counterparts with a texture that is both more restrained and more supple, offering a deep yet always very lively flavor. A sure bet well known to wine lovers, Pavie-Macquin has not put a foot wrong in recent years.

A very juicy and round 2021, with aromas and flavors of red berries, chocolate, cedar, balsamic, and redwood. Medium to full-bodied. Velvety tannins. Excellent finish. Extremely well-crafted for the vintage. 79% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Best enjoyed after 2028.

From the very first whiff, the Pavie-Macquin signature is evident—deep, grounded, and intense; a full-bodied, heady aroma crowned with a hint of menthol. On the palate, it is dense, full, flavorful, and powerful, with an acidity that is undoubtedly more pronounced than in recent vintages, a slightly more refined mid-palate, but a chalky texture of great beauty. The overall impression is refined, with a hint of roughness in the tannins, but it is above all mineral, lingering, and unique.

Precise, floral, and fruity, Pavie Macquin’s bouquet reveals floral and chalky nuances. While certainly more slender than usual, it is nonetheless fresh and subtle. A delicate, mouth-watering, and lingering wine, perfectly supported by its acidic structure, which, along with the tannins, underscores its vigor. A salty and lingering finish. 2026–2046

The nose is fruity, fresh, and elegant, offering concentration (with perfect balance and precision) as well as clarity. It features notes of juicy blackberry, Sichuan pepper, and, more subtly, blueberry, combined with hints of star anise, fresh morello cherry, touches of fresh-roasted berries, subtle hints of cardamom and lily, as well as a subtle hint of terroir (local biotope), toasted notes, and vanilla (very subtle). On the palate, it is beautifully fresh, elegant, indulgent, juicy, luscious, gracefully refined, and delicate, offering an ethereal power, fullness, depth, and a lovely brilliance. Everything is perfectly balanced and masterfully executed. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of plump, juicy blackberries, bright, fresh blueberries, and, more subtly, juicy morello cherries, combined with hints of vanilla, toasty notes, nutmeg, and blueberries, as well as subtle hints of herbal infusion and delicate chocolate notes. The tannins are supple, elegant, and refined. A beautifully balanced blend of freshness and acidity. Very nice length.

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a black core. An excellent, opulent nose featuring blackberries, elderberry, cherries, and hints of sloe in the background. Subtle spicy and slightly floral aromas also emerge. On the palate, it is well-structured, with firm yet ripe tannins, an elegant minerality, and juicy, powerful, and elegant fruit, with excellent length.