Château Pavie Macquin 2022

Château Pavie Macquin: Where Winemaking Mastery Meets Saint-Émilion's Essence

Perched upon the picturesque slopes of Saint-Émilion, Château Pavie Macquin stands as a testament to the artistry and unwavering commitment of winemaking. This St-Émilion Premiere Grand Crus Classés property exemplifies the deep connection between man and terroir, showcasing the profound impact that meticulous vineyard management and the unique soils of the region can have on the final expression of the wines.

With a history spanning over a century, Château Pavie Macquin carries a legacy that intertwines the vine and the vigneron. Originally a part of the expansive estate of Ferdinand Bouffard, a renowned 19th-century négociant, it found its identity when acquired by Albert Macquin. Albert Macquin, a leading specialist in grafting American rootstock to European vitis vinifera vines, played a pivotal role in combating the devastating phylloxera plague that struck Bordeaux. In honor of his contributions, Château Pavie Macquin bears his name, rooted in the tradition of the times.

The estate's 15 hectares of vines are nestled on the prestigious Côte Pavie, neighboring renowned vineyards such as Château Pavie, Château Pavie-Decesse and Château Troplong Mondot.  These vineyards boast a diverse array of soils, encompassing nine different types with variations of limestone and clay. It was not until the arrival of the self-made vigneron, Nicolas Thienpont, in 1994 that the quality of the grand vin soared to new heights. Possessing a Midas touch, Nicolas Thienpont's innate understanding of the vineyard and his devotion to producing wines that reflect the true essence of terroir earned him critical acclaim. 

Nicolas firmly believes that the quality of a wine lies in its ability to express its terroir. Embracing this philosophy, Château Pavie Macquin transitioned to organic farming, adopting 100% organic techniques for vineyard management. These strong principles have proven successful, as every vineyard under Nicolas' management has garnered accolades and critical acclaim. His expertise even led Château Larcis Ducasse to be recognized as a Premiere Grand Cru Classé in 2012 and Château Bellevue as a Premiere Grand Crus.

The vineyards of Château Pavie Macquin are predominantly planted with 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes, benefiting from the unique microclimate of the region, tend to ripen a bit later, ensuring optimal phenolic maturity. Prior to vinification, the grapes undergo careful optical sorting to ensure only the finest fruit is selected. In the vat room, the wines are fermented whole berry in a blend of concrete and oak fermenters, a meticulous process that further enhances the purity and complexity of the final product.

When indulging in a bottle of Château Pavie Macquin, one is greeted with richly concentrated and lush wines that offer a beautiful combination of power and minerality. Described as generous and opulent, these wines possess a remarkable longevity. In truly exceptional vintages, it is advisable to exercise patience and allow the grand vin to rest for 10-12 years, as they gradually reveal their full potential.

Step into the world of Château Pavie Macquin, where the mastery of winemaking meets the true essence of Saint-Émilion's terroir. Immerse yourself in the symphony of flavors, textures, and aromas that capture the spirit of this remarkable estate.

"Blackcurrants, blue fruits, crushed stone, chocolate, and massive amounts of minerality all emerge from the 2022 Château Pavie Macquin, a more burly, incredibly concentrated Pavie Macquin that has a lively, vibrant mouthfeel, ripe, building, substantial tannins, and a gorgeous finish. Based on the normal 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, it's a riveting, powerful 2022 that's built for the cellar. Hide bottles for a solid decade if you can, and it will have 40 years of overall longevity." - Jeb Dunnuck, (02/27/2025), Ratings: 98+

"A safe pair of hands in such an extreme vintage, and this is certainly a port in a storm. Lovely textured, rippling with dark black cherries, cherry pit for a savoury touch, sage and rosemary and white pepper spice. Totally gorgeous, one of the wines of the vintage. Corre-Macquin family, 31hl/h yield. 12.8ha, 35 years average age of vines,clay limestone soils on plateau." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (03/07/2025), Ratings: 98

"The 2022 Pavie Macquin is stellar, as it was _en primeur_. Inky blue/purplish fruit, licorice, new leather, spice and plum run through this powerful Saint-Émilion. Silky in the glass, it boasts plush, seamless tannins and fine balance. As always, Pavie Macquin is very sexy—one of the most sensual and hedonistic wines of the vintage." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (01/28/2025), Ratings: 97

"Perfumed and aromatic, smells rich but not too intensely with roses and soft purple flowers. Succulent and really quite crisp and clear, such clarity to the fruit, with both a sharpness of acidity and mineral bite to the tannins. Liquorice, blue fruits, cool chalky tones, You get a sense of the power and structure, it’s wide and full, thick but keeping the freshness and tension with super high acidity giving the mouthwatering nature and a touch of austerity. Precise and detailed with energy and tension as well as depth and clarity. Great potential. A yield of 31hl/ha." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, (05/25/2023), Ratings: 96