In Bond Fine Wine. 2003 Château Pavie, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France. Premier Grand Cru Classé A • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 98/100 (RP). Drinking window: 2023–2033. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Château Pavie was revitalised under the late Gérard Perse, whose vision and relentless pursuit of quality elevated the property into the very highest echelon of Bordeaux. Perse acquired the estate in 1998 and oversaw a remarkable reinvigoration of both vineyard and cellar, turning Pavie into one of the most powerful, sought-after and critically acclaimed wines on the Right Bank, rivalling Ausone and Cheval Blanc. At the heart of Pavie’s greatness is its extraordinary terroir: magnificent clay-limestone soils spread across the celebrated Saint-Émilion limestone plateau on south-facing slopes above the Dordogne. This rare combination of limestone bedrock, elevation and superb exposure gives the wines their signature union of richness, freshness and striking mineral tension. Today, Pavie is famed for producing deeply layered, intensely complex wines of black cherry, cassis, liquorice, ceda…
James Suckling (JS) — 96/100 · Wine Spectator, 31/07/2006 · Drink 2008+
Dark purple. Shows intense aromas of raisin, coffee and treacle tart. Very, very ripe. Full-bodied, superrich and velvety. This is so layered and powerful. Blockbuster. Best after 2008. 7,500 cases made.
Robert Parker (RP) — 97–100/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/04/2005 · Drink 2012-2030+
While not as massive and concentrated as the 2000, this is one of the vintage's top efforts. A stunningly complete wine of irrefutable nobility as well as intensity, it boasts an inky/purple color along with an extraordinary perfume reminiscent of a liqueur of rocks, black cherries, creme de cassis, and flowers. Full-bodied with superb freshness, intensity, concentration, and length, this elegant…
Robert Parker (RP) — 96–100/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/04/2004 · Drink 2011-2040
An off the chart effort from perfectionist proprietors Chantal and Gerard Perse, the 2003 Pavie was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare. A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a wine of sublime richness, minerality, delineation, and nobleness. Representing the essence of one of St.-Emilion's greatest terroirs, the limestone and clay soils were perfect for h…