| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Gérard Perse has created a modern winery of marble, stainless steel and new oak barrels and, with very low yields, and a magnificently situated vineyard on the south-facing slopes of St Emilion. Since 1998 Pavie has been rewarded with a string of high scores from the critics and has now attained Premier Grand Cru Classé 'A' status. The vineyard is now up to 42 hectares with the recent addition of Pavie Decesse (3 hecatres) and Bellevue Mondotte (2 hectares) into the blend. There is also more Cabernet than before and the oak is less toasted and no longer 100% new.
The 2023 Pavie is less of a blockbuster than usual. The blend has only 51% Merlot with 32% Cabernet Franc and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon. 72% new oak and 14.25% alcohol.
The 2023 Pavie was picked from September 18 to October 5 at 32.76hL/ha, with some Cabernet Franc actually picked after the Cabernet Sauvignon. Raised in 72% new French oak plus one-year-old barrels, this has a very well-defined and fresh bouquet that articulates the terroir with some style. It is completely different from the Pavie wines I tasted at the estate 10 to 15 years ago—more classical and sophisticated. The palate is medium-bodied with a clean and precise entry. It's lightly spiced with a subtle marine influence—shucked oyster shells and seaweed are embroidered through the black fruit. There's a dash of black pepper toward the finish that remains focused and feels long in the mouth. This is an excellent Pavie in the making.
The depth and intensity is really out of this world. The richness is there, but it's all in balance and has an almost weightless feel to it. It's medium- to full-bodied with purity and definition, and the magic of limestone soils keeps the pH low, giving energy, bright acidity and verve. Terrific young red. 51% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 17% cabernet sauvignon.
The 2023 Pavie is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a few moments of swirling to unlock scents of blueberry pie, cassis, and preserved plums, eventually giving way to a gorgeous perfume of violets, star anise, cedar chest, and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate shimmers with bright, fresh black fruit layers, framed by firm, ripe, rounded tannins and Pavie's signature tension, finishing very long and very fragrant. This is breathtaking! The blend is 51% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, with pH 3.66.
Plus damson and black cherry fruits, rich and ripe but balanced by tomato leaf, pumice stone. This is intense and concentrated, skilfully constructed showing fragrant cumin and turmeric spice that lifts through the palate, opening to show black tea, blood orange, cocoa bean, mint leaf, totally delicious and speaks clearly of its limestone soils. Feels at the top of its game. Harvest September 18 to October 5, 72% new oak for ageing, Gerard Perse owner.
The 2023 Pavie is fabulous. Rich, dense and explosive in the glass, it offers up generous dark red fruit, cedar, spice, pipe tobacco, menthol and mocha. The 2023 impresses with its notable density and sheer palate presence. Naturally, this needs time to be at its best, but it is already incredibly expressive. This is a superb vintage for Pavie.
51% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample.
An elegant Pavie this year, the power reined in and discreet. Complex floral and dark-fruit bouquet. Suave texture, the tannins finely honed. Long and fresh with a saline finish. (JL) 14.3%
Drink 2032 – 2050
