CHÂTEAU PAVIE MACQUIN

Opaque purple in color with notes of barbecue smoke, chalk dust, sweet medium to full-bodied blackcurrant mouthfeel with impressive, texture, purity, equilibrium and light to moderate tannins in the finish, this is certainly one of the most successful wines of the vintage. Because of the year, in this vintage, the wine is much more evolved and forward than it normally is. This beauty can be drunk in two or so years and should last 12-15. 2016-2031 Rating: 89-92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Aug 2014)

(85% merlot, 13% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon): Good medium ruby. Captivating aromas of redcurrant, menthol, violet and licorice. Lovely inner-mouth floral lift to the mineral and inky red and dark berry flavors; offers much more clarity and cut than most 2013 Bordeaux, not to mention depth and sweetness of fruit. The finish is especially pure and precise--and long. Plenty of hidden density here--especially impressive in the context of the vintage. I went out of my way to taste this wine four different times just to be sure of my extremely positive first impression. In many respects, this is one of the elite wines of the vintage: the nose alone rates 94 or 95 points. Rating: 90-92 Ian d'Agata - Stephen Tanzer website (May 2014)

Depth on the nose with quite a strong red fruited character but the start of the palate is lighter and fresher with a nice mix of red and black fruits. Although firm on the back palate the tannins are not aggressive and there is some nice sweet fruit on the finish. 2017-28. Rating: 88-91 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (May 2014)