Les Chenes De Macquin 2019

1. Introduction

Les Chênes de Macquin 2019 is a red wine from France, specifically the Bordeaux region and the Saint-Émilion appellation. It is the second wine of Château Pavie Macquin, which is a Premier Grand Cru Classé B estate. The vineyards are located on the Saint-Émilion plateau, and the estate is run by Nicolas Thienpont with consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. The name 'Les Chênes' ('the oaks') refers to the oak trees planted as emblems along the edge of the plateau.

2. Wine Description

This wine is a Bordeaux blend, composed primarily of Merlot, with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It displays a deep dark ruby colour with purple reflections. The nose is elegant, offering notes of bright cassis and blackberry, fresh cornflower, lilac, liquorice, and a hint of sweet spices. The palate is full bodied, well-balanced, and offers great freshness, precision, and finesse of the grain. It expresses flavours of juicy cassis, bright raspberry, and violet plum, followed by hints of nutmeg and chocolate. The tannins are elegant and refined. This wine is described as deep and layered, with a rich texture, and it has great future potential for ageing well. The optimal drinking window is generally from now until 2027. The wine is not explicitly indicated as organic.

3. Accolades

Falstaff - 97 points Wine Enthusiast - 95 points

4. Food Pairing

This rich, full-bodied red blend pairs well with substantial, savoury main courses. Suggested pairings include lamb chop with rosemary, duck leg with morel mushroom sauce, or beef entrecôte with pan-fried heirloom vegetables. Its firm structure and fruit profile also make it a classic match for grilled and barbecued meats, as well as game and mature hard cheeses.

5. Vintage Quality

The 2019 vintage in Saint-Émilion is considered to be exceptionally good. The growing season was marked by a mild winter, a cool spring with a threat of frost, and a resplendent July with heatwave conditions. The resulting wines feature high-quality, perfectly ripe fruit, leading to high-profile wines that exhibit a great balance between power, structure, and freshness.