This property never makes a very forward style of wine, and in the precocious, charming, upfront 2007 vintage, Pavie Macquin has fashioned an unexpectedly backward, powerful offering. Perhaps this vineyard’s character is due to the clay and limestone plateau on which the vineyard is planted. Composed of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine achieved 14% natural alcohol in 2007. The wine reveals a dense blue/purple color in addition to a bouquet of burning embers intermixed with charcoal, graphite, blackberries, and cassis. Extracted, but not excessively so, and full-bodied, with lots of tannin and structure, this atypical 2007 requires 3-4 years of cellaring. It should evolve for 15 or more years.

Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Pavie-Macquin has quite a rich and opulent bouquet that is clearly trying to surpass the limitation of the vintage. There is pleasant purity, and certainly, it is less herbaceous than many of its peers, with peppermint-tinged red cherry and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a mixture of red and black fruit, quite caressing in texture, with a well balanced if not overly complex finish. While it does not possess the length of a great vintage, it is a pleasing Saint Emilion that is perfect to consume now. Tasted February 2017.

Sweet berry and light chocolate aromas and flavors follow through to a medium palate, with fine tannins and a clean finish. Delicious already. Best after 2012. 4,165 cases made. -JS

Deep colour. Slightly austere but intense, dark berry fruit aroma. Palate shows a depth of firm, fresh, layered fruit with liquorish and blackcurrant notes. Terroir highlighted with a chalky, minerally finish. Solid and harmonious.