Château Pavie Macquin St Emilion Grand Cru Premier Grand Cru Classé B 2004

Edges of gunsmoke, tobacco and liquorice on the first nose, this feels significantly younger than the 2002 vintage, and you need a little more patience to wait out those drawn-together tannins that are holding the cassis and blueberry fruits in place. The juice and salinity though is already mouthwatering, giving a scrape and a push that both propels you forward and drags you back. These are physical wines in the mouth, which is why they are so exciting. Part of the cool vintages series within this vertical, and a great example of why great terroir can overperform in more challenging years. 80% new oak.