Château Pavie - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019

The vineyard land of Château Pavie has been a cherished site for grape-growing on the Right Bank of Bordeaux since the 4th Century. The estate in its modern form began to take shape in the late 19th Century, passing through various owners over the years. However, it was the acquisition by self-made Parisian millionaire Gérard Perse in 1998 that marked the beginning of Pavie's most notable period, ushering in a new era of innovation and quality for this historic estate.

Château Pavie's large production has made it more easily available than many other red Bordeaux. It is one of the best-known St. Emilions, vinified in a slightly lighter, more elegant style. With moderate red currant fruit in the nose, plus earth and spice, it can be peppery, spicy, or even leafy with hints of red cherries. Like other wineries in the côtes of St. Emilion, Chateau Pavie makes firm wines that are restrained and austere when young. The occasionally severe tannins mature with age into a fine sinewy structure. The better vintages are deep, intense, and concentrated. They mature 7-20 years after the vintage.

"The 2019 Château Pavie is another beauty that offers more density and sexiness than just about every other wine in the vintage, yet it is still an unnecessarily restrained expression of this terroir, which is the fad in Bordeaux these days. Based on 50% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 80% new French oak, this deep purple-hued effort has a great bouquet of ripe black cherries, darker currants, tobacco leaf, violets, and graphite, with a beautiful sense of minerality and salinity on the palate. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it has plenty of background oak, a deep, layered mid-palate, terrific tannins, and a great finish. It shows the more understated, elegant style of the vintage yet is still pure Pavie. Hide bottles for 5-7 years and enjoy over the following 30+." - 99 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

"Deep garnet purple in color, the 2019 Pavie is a tad restrained to start, needing some patient swirling to coax out notes of fresh blueberries and boysenberries plus underlying scents of kirsch, violets, star anise, and fragrant earth. The full-bodied palate is taut with bright, youthful, muscular black fruits, supported by plush tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing on a persistent floral note. This was the first vintage for the move from 60% to 50% Merlot along with 30% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon." - 99 Points, Wine Independent

"The 2019 Pavie is incredibly elegant right out of the gate. Aromas of crushed rose petal, cedar, mint and sweet pipe tobacco are immediately alluring. The 2019 is sensual and inviting, with no excess weight and fabulous overall balance. Blood orange, red/purplish fruit, cinnamon and mint develop effortlessly. Time in the glass brings out Cabernet Franc aromatics and structure, leading to a feeling of vertical intensity that is hugely appealing." - 97 Points, Antonio Galloni Vinous

"Lots of blackberry and grilled meat with earth and spice. Some smoky undertones, too. Blackcurrants. Complex. Full-bodied with round, juicy tannins, yet they turn extremely fine and very linear and go on for minutes. Great length. A blend of 50% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 18% cabernet sauvignon. Try after 2027, but already a joy to drink." - 98 Points, James Suckling

Producer: Château Pavie

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Saint-Émilion

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ml