This is just so good. Not overly big, it has nuance, sapidity and grace, with space between the lines. It`s not sacrificing its concentration but it gives you a chance to get onboard and accompany it along the way. I love the quality of the brambled blackberry and loganberry fruit here, and the touch of austerity that gives a welcome note of bitter chocolate to the finish. It has great tannic grip and there`s no question that this will age well, but it`s also extremely drinkable now. Tasted several times, and each occasion blew me away. My favourite vintage to date from this property. 98 points

78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon; 50% new oak. Inky coloured core. Pure, clean-cut cassis aroma. Lifted and lively on the nose. On the palate, all fruit, so much fruit that the other components are outshone. At the moment this makes it rather simple but it has depth and richness and the freshness to develop though it seems a little one-dimensional now. Relatively light on the mid palate and still balanced. 16.5 points

The 2018 Pavie Macquin is deep garnet-purple colored and a little closed to begin, slowly revealing subtle notions of dark chocolate, candied violets and rose hip tea over a core of plum preserves, blueberry compote and cherry coulis plus wafts of woodsmoke and crushed stones. Full-bodied, the palate has a seriously impressive structure of ripe, firm, velvety tannins and bold freshness carrying off all that rich black fruit, finishing very long and mineral laced. 95-97 points

The 2018 Pavie Macquin is terrific. Ample, creamy and flamboyant, Pavie Macquin possesses extraordinary richness and intensity. Super-ripe dark cherry, raspberry, chocolate, spice, new leather, lavender and violets build in a wine of real pedigree. To be sure, Pavie Macquin is a big wine that is going to need a number of years in bottle to be at its best. The flamboyant style may not appeal to every palate. Today, the new oak is a bit imposing, but élevage should take care of that. Tasted three times. 92-95 points

In this vintage this is 78% Merlot, picked September 20th, 27th and the 28th, October 1st, 2nd, 5th and the 11th, and 20% Cabernet Franc, picked October 2nd, 4th and the 12th, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked October 12th. The yield is an impressive 47 hl/ha, of which 90% was channeled into the grand vin. It has a dark, brooding and yet perfumed nose, one laced with violet and peony scents, with some smoky and sooty nuances. It feels very pure, fresh, bright and confident. The palate shows a full, rich, perfumed and texturally confident style, one laden with bright black cherry and perfumed black plum notes, with a lightly desiccated concentration, and a rich, full and polished substance. A very impressive style, ripe and brooding with structure, through to the long, tannin-infused finish. This is hugely impressive, intense and complex, richly structured although the tannins feel so fine, tightly knit and highly polished. A true grand vin, and a great result for a cuvée led by Merlot. Tasted twice. 97-99 points