Appellations

Pavie 2021

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

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Tasting Notes

The 2021 Pavie is a potent, brooding wine that is going to need time to be at its best. Floral and spice notes confer freshness on the bouquet. In this tasting, the 2021 feels a bit tight. I doubt that will be an issue in another few years' time. Structurally, the 2021 is a touch lighter than most recent vintages, but the identity is there. The move towards more Cabernet in the blend since 2019 has markedly changed the character of Pavie. The 2021 is on the linear side today. I can't wait to see how it ages.

Score: 96 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2031-2061 Date: 27 February 2024

The 2021 Pavie takes time to cohere in the glass, eventually offering blackberry and blueberry fruit, with graphite emanating from the Cabernet components. Hints of mint chocolate and cassis come through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. This is a well-balanced Saint-Émilion, and I appreciate the blend of varieties and the contribution of the Cabernets. Spicier than recent vintages, there is a healthy drop of black pepper here, gentle grip and a sapid finish. It doesn't possess the complexity of the very top vintages, though given a few years in bottle it should drink well for 20 years.

Score: 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027-2055 Date: 22 February 2024

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. (JL) 14.1%

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2030-2050 Date: 13 May 2022

Successful, with concentration and power managing a full extraction without bitter edges. Enjoyable cassis, blackberry, with fresher acidities coming through in mandarin peel and white peach. 75% new oak, full on Pavie signature, with plenty of oak caressing, but overall excellent quality. Harvest September 28 to October 12. No chaptilisation, the powerful south-facing slopes coming in extremely handy in 2021.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2028-2042 Date: 11 May 2022

Deep black and blue fruit with cocoa and tar character. Compact and full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins that are very textured and interwoven into the wine. This has a lot of structure to go a long way. Yet it remains in balance with finesse. 52% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 18% cabernet sauvignon.

Score: 95 - 96 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 May 2022

The 2021 Château Pavie was one of the few wines in the vintage that got a big "wow" in my notes. Based on 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, it's a full-bodied, dense, powerful, beautiful 2021 with classic Pavie darker, richer fruits, notes of spicy oak, chocolate, and violets, ripe velvety tannins, and a great finish. It's not at the 2019 or 2020 level, but don't hold that against it. This is pure brilliance in 2021 and one of the wines of the vintage.

Score: 95 - 97 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 06 February 2022