Appellations

Aromes de Pavie (2nd wine of Pavie) 2020

St Emilion, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

The 2020 Arômes de Pavie represents a major step up in quality vis-à-vis previous vintages. It is a deep, statuesque wine endowed with tremendous power, richness and resonance. Plum, mocha, licorice, espresso and spice all flesh out in the glass. I can't wait to taste this in bottle. This is the first year in which the blend is equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, both increasingly from plots dedicated to the Arômes, a departure from the past, when this wine was a selection of younger-vine fruit and lots that did not make it into the Grand Vin.

Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028 - 2040 Date: 01 June 2021

The 2020 Arômes de Pavie, which comes from specific parcels, contains a much higher percentage of Cabernet Franc, half the blend instead of the 18% in the 2018. It was vatted for 31 days and matured in 70% new oak. Deep in color, it has an intense bouquet of blackberry, pencil lead and a faint touch of tobacco, the new oak conspicuous but in sync with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, plenty of black plummy fruit laced with bilberry, and a saline undercurrent. A stocky Deuxième Vin, but it manages to maintain decent balance and freshness. I hope we see the Cabernet Franc at this level in the blend going forward.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026 - 2038 Date: 27 May 2021

The 2020 Arômes de Pavie, which comes from specific parcels, contains a much higher percentage of Cabernet Franc, half the blend instead of the 18% in the 2018. It was vatted for 31 days and matured in 70% new oak. Deep in color, it has an intense bouquet of blackberry, pencil lead and a faint touch of tobacco, the new oak conspicuous but in sync with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, plenty of black plummy fruit laced with bilberry, and a saline undercurrent. A stocky Deuxième Vin, but it manages to maintain decent balance and freshness. I hope we see the Cabernet Franc at this level in the blend going forward.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2038 Date: 01 May 2021

Always in the running for the best second wine in Bordeaux, the 2020 Aromes De Pavie is brilliant and surpasses any number of estates’ Grand Vins. The blend of the 2020 is equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and it has solid tech numbers, with an alcohol of 14.7% and a pH of 3.57. Dense purple-hued with a great nose of jammy black cherries, cassis, flowers, and chalky minerality, it’s medium to full-bodied and has a supple, up-front texture, ripe tannins, and brilliant balance. It tastes just like a second wine should, like a mini-Grand Vin that will drink beautifully while you give the top wine bottle age.

Score: 92 - 94 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 25 May 2021

Composed of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Arômes de Pavie has an alcohol of 14.78% and a pH of 3.57. It is aging in French oak barriques, 70% new. Deep purple-black in color, it needs a little swirling to unleash its exuberant scents of stewed black plums, black cherry compote and boysenberries, plus hints of tar, sautéed herbs and chargrill. The full-bodied palate packs in the black fruit layers, framed by soft tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Score: 91 - 93 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2024 - 2041 Date: 20 May 2021

Second wine of Pavie with wonderful blackberry, black olive and dark chocolate. Full and chewy with a powerful finish. Lots of structure and intensity.

Score: 95 - 96 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 11 May 2021

50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc. From designated parcels (11 ha) on the plateau. Cask sample. Ripe and pure-fruited but the freshness really comes through with this (first time) 50/50 blend. Chalky, mineral note behind. Fine-grained tannins. Drives on the finish with the fruit and freshness. More than adequate understudy while awaiting the grand vin. (JL)

Score: 16+ Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Date: 07 May 2021