Wines Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Pavie Macquin - 2016

Viniou Reviews

Château Pavie Macquin 2016 is a biodynamic red wine from the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC, situated within Bordeaux’s prestigious right bank. This vintage primarily blends Merlot – the signature variety of Saint-Émilion – with smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2016 growing season was marked by a cool, wet spring followed by hot, dry summer conditions that favoured healthy, slow maturation, resulting in grapes of remarkable concentration and balance. Soils here are principally limestone and clay on steep slopes, giving both structure and an underlying mineral freshness to the wine. Vinification adheres to biodynamic principles, with a hands-off philosophy that preserves the integrity of each parcel’s fruit, followed by élevage in French oak barrels.

The region of Saint-Émilion, recognised both for its UNESCO-listed medieval village and historic châteaux, benefits from a temperate climate moderated by the nearby Dordogne river. The complex patchwork of limestone- and clay-rich soils offers ideal drainage and promotes deep-rooted vines. These terroirs, cultivated since Roman times, are famed for yielding some of the world’s most elegant and long-lived Merlot-based wines, with Pavie Macquin consistently ranked among the best.

A wine of this pedigree and intensity is best matched with dishes of nuanced flavours and rich textures. Classic Bordeaux pairings would lean towards roast rack of lamb with herb crust, beef Wellington, or duck breast in a cherry sauce. Regionally, one might enjoy it alongside entrecôte à la bordelaise or confit de canard. Earthy sides, such as wild mushroom fricassée or truffled root vegetables, also work beautifully, echoing the wine’s depth and aromatic profile.

For optimal enjoyment, decant Château Pavie Macquin 2016 for at least one to two hours to allow its layered bouquet to blossom. Serve between 16 and 18°C to enable the tannins to soften and the core of ripe black fruits and graphite minerality to fully show their complexity. This wine is both impressive now and built for careful cellaring over the next two decades.