2025 Château Pavie-Macquin Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

EXCLUSIVE OFFER - AVAILABLE SPRING 2028

Winery

Château Pavie Macquin belongs to the absolute elite of Saint-Émilion and bears the name of Albert Macquin, the man who played a key role in the recovery of French vineyards after the phylloxera crisis through the use of grafted vines. Nicolas Thienpont has been at the helm of the château since 1994, now assisted by his son Cyrille. The estate boasts one of the finest chalky terroirs in Saint-Émilion and has established itself over the past decades as a fixture within the Premier Grand Cru Classé category. You can find more information about this winery in the Winery tab.

Origin and terroir

The vineyards of Pavie Macquin are situated on the famous limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion. This terroir consists of a layer of clay atop limestone with fossil deposits, locally known as Astérie limestone. This subsoil ensures natural freshness, excellent water regulation, and a pronounced mineral signature. The estate comprises approximately 15 hectares, of which about 13.5 hectares are in production. The combination of limestone, altitude, and exposure yields wines of remarkable tension and precision.

Grapes and vineyard management

The 2025 blend consists of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. The average age of the vines is approximately 35 years. A combination of traditional tillage and natural vegetation between the rows is employed. Additionally, extensive manual labor is performed, including budding, defoliation, yield limitation, and manual harvesting. The yield was limited to 30 hectoliters per hectare, with the entire harvest deemed suitable for the Grand Vin.

Vinification and aging

The grapes are introduced into the fermentation tanks as whole berries by gravity. Each plot selection is vinified separately in concrete vats, ensuring the characteristics of each part of the vineyard are optimally preserved. Subsequently, the wine ages for 16 to 20 months in French oak barrels, 50% new and 50% used. An important part of the aging process is the long sur lie aging on fine lees. The first racking takes place only after six to ten months, followed by a second racking approximately one year later. Clarification and filtration are applied only when necessary.

Color, smell and taste

The 2025 opens with an expressive nose of raspberries, violets, citrus peel, and floral accents. Additionally, there are aromas of dark cherries, cassis, lavender, liquorice, menthol, and subtle chalky minerality. On the palate, the wine displays both power and precision. The fruit is concentrated yet remains bright and energetic. The tannins are fine-grained, providing an impressive structure. Striking is the combination of ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and a briny undertone that lends extra tension to the long finish. The limestone soil is clearly discernible in the mineral length and energetic character of the wine.

Style and character

While Pavie Macquin is often known for its silky texture, the 2025 reveals a slightly more powerful side. Yet, the wine remains remarkably refined. The combination of concentration, chalky freshness, and perfectly integrated tannins creates a style that feels both classic and modern. The fruit is dark and deep, yet is constantly supported by energy and tension. This is a Saint-Émilion with significant structure and great aging potential.

Volume

The 2025 vintage is one of the most impressive recent vintages for Pavie Macquin. Low yields, the high proportion of limestone in the terroir, and meticulous selection resulted in a wine of exceptional concentration and freshness. Various tasters highlight the combination of power, minerality, and precision. The wine is expected to evolve beautifully between 2033 and 2065 and undoubtedly ranks among the benchmarks of Saint-Émilion in this vintage.

Food and wine pairings

This wine calls for dishes with depth and structure. Think of roasted lamb, côte de boeuf, venison, wild boar, or slow-cooked beef dishes. Dishes with black truffle, mushrooms, or rich sauces also pair perfectly with the wine's layered complexity. Thanks to the fresh acidity and mineral tension, the wine remains elegant, even alongside powerful dishes.

Wine & Food and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.