Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend

Blend of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, floral spice and smoky cedar notes. On the palate flavors of fresh blackberry and black cherry with cacao, tobacco, licorice and smoky spice. Fine tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar, smoke and earthy mineral character. Very nice, will age well but wait a few more years to really enjoy!

Excellent showing…had same bottle 2 years ago…better integrated..still took time to open..but once it did..knockout

Loads of mushroom and earth. Plummy, smooth and just kept getting better.

Ripe blueberry, baking spices and slight leather...took some time to open...then the cab frank started to show itself and integrated beautifully..

Felt it was a good ten year in bottle check on the 08 Pavie Macquin. I wasn’t expecting the wine to blow my hair back but, I expected a little something better.

The 2008 Bordeaux growing season was one of difficult weather through August. Then, grand weather in September & October saved the vintage. Well...with this one, it likely made a bad vintage into just a good one.

The nose reveals classic Merlot based nose, nice Claret. The fruits are ripe, slightly ruby & candied but, a little dull. Blackberries, black raspberries, baked, dark cherries, black raspberries & stewed strawberries. Dark fruit cola, vanilla, black licorice, dark, rich earth, stones, touch leather, cinnamon stick, some graphite, light herbal quality with candied dark, red, & a touch fresh of blue florals framed in violets.

The body is just full & very velvety. The tension & structure are a little soft. The balance is good as is the length. However as it continues on the palate is just never pops. In fact, leaner & somewhat hollow. It lacks depth & complexity. The fruits are ripe, slightly ruby & candied but, a little dull. Blackberries, black raspberries, baked, dark cherries, black raspberries & stewed strawberries. Dark fruit cola, vanilla, black licorice, dark, rich earth, stones, soft, velvety leather, cinnamon stick, some graphite, light herbal quality with candied dark, red, & a touch fresh of blue florals framed in violets. The acidity is really nice, fresh. The finish is, soft, elegant, the same wire to wire but, just never dazzles.

I am afraid this is not showing any signs of being in a dumb phase. Nor, is it showing any earmarks that it is going to improve, just evolve.

Photos of; Chateau Pavie Macquin, signage tell you are close, Winemaker - Nicolas Thienpont & their barrel room.

Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.

If I was served this blind, I might have taken this to high end Napa. There was quite a bit of fresh and ripe fruits here, mostly toward the blue and black side of the spectrum...sweet blueberries, freshly squeezed blackberries, sandalwood, espresso, nutmeg and fig. Oak was fairly noticeable but didn’t detract. Nothing shy about this. Pop with a lengthy decant or hold for another 5yrs.

The 2017 Pavie-Macquin was impressive from barrel and now in bottle, it continues to show potential. The bouquet is very pure with small dark cherries, cassis, violet and peony aromas. The new oak is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that belie the backbone of this Saint-Émilion. There is a citric element that suffuses the intense black fruit laced with graphite and tar, the limestone soils offering freshness on the finish. Excellent. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2020)

It's time for some #MerlotThursday. Here is a fruit forward Merlot from Bordeaux.

Showing black and red fruits with wood, vanilla, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, wet leaves, black tea, black pepper, spices, dark coffee, earth and leather.

Medium finish with firm tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is still young and a little harsh, even after opening up, with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Needed 3 hours to open up.

Showing great potential. This is from a great vintage, and will age nicely in the next 20 years. I would suggest not to touch it for another 3 years.

I've had the 2012 last year, and although this is much younger, it is much tastier already.

Robert Parker 94 points.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 84% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$100.

Simply magical....

For #MerlotThursday here's a nice Bordeaux.

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Earthy nose with blueberries, cherries, wood, earth, vanilla, spices, licorice, pencil lead, vegetables, wet leaves, leather, peppercorn and vinaigrette.

Full-bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, strawberries, red currants, oak, smoke, vegetables, vanilla, earth, vanilla, pencil lead, tobacco leaf, wet leaves, river rocks, spices, peppercorn and leather.

Medium finish with grippy tannins and tart cherries.

This is a young Right Bank Bordeaux. Not fully balanced with a nice mouthfeel and great complexity.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the big tannins.

Still young and needs 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly.

A blend of 84% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses, and some light appetizers.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$70.