Château Pavie Macquin, Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2021
Nicolas Thienpont's flagship estate is well situated on the limestone plateau of St Emilion below Troplong Mondot. Despite its enviable position, the wines can be a bit hit or miss. Candied raspberry bon bons and then a slap of sweet oak. Pippy fruit, rather lean across the mid palate, this is red fruited but a bit mean and pinched at present.
critic reviews
The 2021 Pavie Macquin has a deep garnet-purple color. Fragrant notions of star anise, lilacs, and fertile loam give way to a core of juicy plums and mulberries, plus a touch of dried lavender. The medium-bodied palate delivers an impressive intensity of bright, pure red and black berry flavors, supported by velvety tannins and great tension, finishing on a lingering, exotic spice note.
Beautiful depth of colour, and the aromatics take their time to open, giving a closed slightly austere feel at first. Shows a verticality through the palate, with pummice stone scrape to the tannins, opening up to show black chocolate and creamy blueberry through the mid palate, and softer black cherry, damson, mandarin peel and tea. Harvest September 28 to October 12. No chaptilisation, the powerful south-facing slopes coming in extremely handy in 2021. 75% new oak, 3.67ph.
The 2021 Pavie Maquin has an exquisite bouquet in context of the growing season, very pure with black plum, redcurrant jus, cassis and violet flowers—lovely definition here. The palate is medium-bodied and cohesive with fine tannins, linear in style but with impressive tension and mineralité. Touches of white pepper and flint surface toward the finish, completing a Saint-Émilion that has perhaps meliorated slightly during its élevage. This comes highly recommended.
The 2021 Pavie Macquin offers up aromas of cherries, blackberries and raspberries mingled with mint, spices and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of fruit framed by chalky tannins that assert themselves on the comparatively structured, mineral finish, it's a strong effort.