Chateau Pavie, Premier Grand Cru Classé "A", Saint Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2021

Grapes: A blend of 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37ha vineyard, clay/limestone soils over limestone bedrock, 43 year old vines, hand harvested, fermented in wooden vats with malolactic in barrel, aged 18-32 months in French oak barrels (70%-100% new wood, according to vintage)

Producer Tasting Note:

With almost parity between Merlot and the Cabernets, the 2021 from Pavie finds an above-average density, developing a great presence on the palate. It is a powerful wine, faithful to its pedigree, which finds in this vintage an increase of velvetiness and freshness, carried by firm and very fine tannins at the same time, accompanied by ripe, generous and nuanced fruit. A grand cru of admirable balance and persistence, and a great wine for laying down.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. 32.98 hl/ha. Cask sample.
Deep purple hue. Poised and fresh with dark-fruit and floral notes. Fresh and minerally on attack but sweet and ripe in the middle, the tannins finely honed. Chalky and long on the finish. Powerful, structured, the terroir evident but everything in balance. Good potential."

17++/20 points, James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2022

"One of the darkest colored wines of the vintage, the wine kicks off with black, blue and dark red fruit. Spicy, long, and fresh, with strong oceanic influences, espresso, chocolate, flowers, herbs and salty, wild cherries in the perfume. The wine has equal amounts of richness, freshness, length and energy, with a finish that showcases its deep, limestone soils. There is tension and ample dark, red fruits that carry through to the endnote. The wine blends 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.14% ABV pH 3.67. Harvesting took place September 28 - October 12. The lateness of vintage is due to waiting for the Cabernets to ripen, which was a key to wines success."  Drink from 2028-2060

95/100 points, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider, May 2022

"Beautiful depth of colour, and the aromatics take their time to open, giving a closed slightly austere feel at first. Shows a verticality through the palate, with pummice stone scrape to the tannins, opening up to show black chocolate and creamy blueberry through the mid palate, and softer black cherry, damson, mandarin peel and tea. Harvest September 28 to October 12. No chaptilisation, the powerful south-facing slopes coming in extremely handy in 2021. 75% new oak, 3.67ph."

94/100 points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, January 2024

Food Match: Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops, Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye Beef or Sirloin Steak, Duck Confit, Wild Mushroom Tarte Tatin, Aged Hard Cheeses