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! - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I'm not surprised by the success by this particular estate in 2003, but it is still a real pleasure to taste a wine from this vintage that remains full of plump ripe fruits and sappy tannins. It shows the heat of the vintage in terms of the exoticism of the caramelised fruits, which are fig, prune and blackberry tatin in character, along with bacon, turmeric and clove spice notes. It has a different feel than the others in the tasting, but it retains a freshess and is in no hurry to be drunk up. Part of the warm vintages series within this vertical.

Features a bold plum and cherry confiture aroma that shows the warmth of the vintage, but maintains finesse, with a silky feel and long incense and warm fruitcake notes. The vintage wins out here, revealing a lightly firm plum skin edge on the finish rather than the typical fine chalky hint. Will have fans for its enticing fruit.—Non-blind Pavie Macquin vertical (December 2014). Drink now through 2019. 3,330 cases made. –JM