2017 Pavie Macquin
Buying options
Tasting notes
Drunk at home over supper with friends, this gorgeous Pavie Macquin was more proof for me that the 2017s - particularly those on St Emilion's clay limestone plateau - are tasting exceptional right now. It's not a vintage with the kind of structure to really lay down for long ageing, but I thoroughly recommend enjoying the sappy blueberry and redcurrant fruits, saffran and salt-scrape of limestone with sculpted tannins. A definite contender for Christmas drinking.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Juicy blackberry and damson fruits, this could almost be ready to drink now as it is already showing delicate, finely-sculpted tannins, touches of lace and linen alongside the slate texture. Having said that, this is likely to age like the 2001, meaning it might be worth getting on board now but then putting it away for another few decades. Without doubt one of the wines of the vintage (when I tasted it in bottle I wrote that it 'climbs right out of the 2017 pigonhole' and I definitely stand by that comment). Expect subtle pleasures, not exuberance, with gentle smoked saffron and liqourice root lingering on the palate. Part of the classic vintages series within this vertical.
Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Sweet red-berry fruit, leather and a hint of dried leaves on the nose. The palate has an oily entry with fleshy red fruit at the core. Wood tannins and leathery spice, with hints of cocoa and mocha line the palate. As with many ambitious right-bank reds, the smoke of oak feels heavy-handed for the fruit potential of the vintage. (TP)
About the producer
On the hill of Pavie, this property’s 15 hectares of vines neighbour those of Troplong Mondot and Pavie. Under Stéphane Derenoncourt and Nicolas Thienpont, the property was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé B status in 2006.