France · Bordeaux

Chateau Pavie Macquin

Chateau Pavie Macquin, a Premier Grand Cru Classe B estate in Saint-Emilion, occupies clay-limestone soils on the eastern plateau adjacent to Troplong Mondot. The estate is named after Albert Macquin, the 19th-century viticulturalist who helped replant Saint-Emilion after phylloxera using American rootstocks—his scientific work during the 1880s was pivotal in saving the entire appellation. Under Nicolas Thienpont's stewardship since 1990—working alongside consultant Stephane Derenoncourt—the estate underwent a complete quality transformation, progressing from an unclassified property to Premier Grand Cru Classe B in the 2006 Saint-Emilion reclassification. The blend is primarily Merlot with Cabernet Franc on the plateau's clay-heavy terroir. At auction, 942 lots average $122 per bottle reaching $1,190, with the 2005 vintage the dominant performer. Pavie Macquin was evaluated during the controversial 2012 Saint-Emilion reclassification and retained its B classification. The wine's mineral precision—more characteristic of the clay-limestone plateau than many right bank estates—comes from the natural acidity of the terroir and the estate's conservative winemaking approach under Thienpont and Derenoncourt. The second wine Le Rose de Pavie Macquin provides earlier-drinking access to the estate's character. The plateau's proximity to Canon, Beausejour Becot, and Troplong Mondot confirms the caliber of the surrounding terroir.