This tremendous terroir has been brought back to life over the last 15 years by Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. Its 37-acre vineyard, planted in deep clay and limestone soils, is composed of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pavie-Macquin is not far from Gerard Perse’s little treasure, Pavie-Decesse. The 2003 Pavie-Macquin turned out brilliantly, no doubt because its soils supported the summer’s torrid heat and drought. Tipping the scales at 13.8% alcohol, it boasts an opaque purple color along with a gorgeous nose of blackberries, smoked meats, licorice, incense, and barbecue spices. Huge fruit on the attack is followed by a powerful, masculine wine with huge extract, high tannin, low acidity, and formidable power. Despite its low acidity, this is a wine to forget for 3-4 years, and drink over the following 20-25 years. When fully mature, this brilliant effort should rival the 2000 and 1998

From a cool terroir on clay and limestone soils (the perfect scenario for producing great wine in 2003), the 2003 Pavie Macquin is composed of 84% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and achieved 13.8% natural alcohol. Full-bodied, young and vigorous, the wine exhibits a dense blue/black color to the rim along with a stunning nose of asphalt, truffle, blackberry, cassis, lead pencil shavings and forest floor. The super-complex aromatics are followed by an opulent, majestic 2003 with a finish that lasts nearly 45 seconds. One of the superstars of the vintage, it should continue to drink well for 10-15+ years. Bravo!

(14.9% alcohol; 3.57 acidity): Dark ruby-red. Sexy aromas of ripe blackberry, blueberry pie, woodsmoke, vanilla and flinty minerals. Then big, rich and suave in the mouth, with concentrated flavors of ripe dark and red cherry, blackcurrant, truffle and cocoa. The long finish features a licorice quality and smooth tannins. The cool limestone soils of Pavie Macquin really came through in the furnace-like conditions of 2003: although this is undoubtedly a very opulent, mouthfilling wine, it is also amazingly refined and suave for the year--anything but over the top.

(13.7% alcohol; a blend of 75% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon; Taransaud is the principal supplier of barrels, but Pavie-Macquin has 13 sources, including some Darnajou) Medium ruby-red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, cola, minerals and chocolatey oak. Lush and rich for young Pavie-Macquin but also juicy and fresh, with excellent inner-mouth energy and depth of berry and mineral flavor. Offers lovely sweetness and definition. Finishes very long, with suave tannins and terrific thrust for the year.

The 2003 Pavie-Macquin is marked by elevated ripeness and aggressive tannins. There is plenty of initial depth and intensity, but it's hard to get past the candied fruit profile and the other signatures of the torrid growing season.

Another ribena wine on the nose (ie intensely sweet blackcurrant) but more interesting on the palate and fruit is well sustained. Rich and firm and good concentration. Rounded and very right bank. (JH)