Chateau Pavie | FINE+RARE

About the producer

The slopes of Château Pavie were planted as far back as the fourth century by the Ancient Romans and it has been a well-known producer in Saint-Émilion since the middle of the 19th century. One of the most well-established Châteaux in the Bordeaux appellation of Saint-Émilion, Château Pavie went through a huge period of change, when the new owner Gérard Perse purchased the estate in 1998. Perse, who also owns Château Monbousquet, Château Pavie-Decesse and  Château Bellevue Mondotte, brought with him a huge amount of expertise, and big plans to revolutionise the estate and the wine-making at Pavie.

Although the change in style at Château Pavie has sparked controversy, with some preferring it to be made in a less concentrated style, the effort that Perse, along with the help of oenologist Michel Rolland, has expended on the estate has received significant recognition. The most important of which was the elevation in classification of Pavie in 2012. In this new Classification of Saint-Émilion, Château Pavie was elevated from Premier Grand Cru Classe "B" to "A", placing it alongside the other greats of Saint-Émilion - Château Ausone, Château Cheval Blanc and Château Angélus - with Parker writing that “Pavie potentially rivals nearby Ausone, the oldest and possibly the most famous estate in Bordeaux”.

In the vineyard

The vineyards of Château Pavie comprise 37 hectares and are made up of three completely different terroirs each with their own microclimates, which give the wine huge depth and complexity. The three different terroirs benefit from poor soils, good drainage - as all are located on slopes - and southern exposure. The three different terroirs consist of the Pavie limestone plateau, situated around 85 meters above the Dordogne with white lithic limestone (white limestone soil on "starfish limestone”). The hillside, situated around 55 meters above the Dordogne with finely-textured brown limestone on Fronsadais molasse (heavy clay-limestone soil) and the foothills, situated around 35 meters above the Dordogne. with colluvial brown limestone on non-limestone fluvial sands (clay-limestone soil at the bottom of the slope) and brown, large-grained soils (sandy clay).

All the vineyards face due south benefiting from full sunshine throughout the growing season. The vineyards are planted with 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and this is reflected to varying degrees in the final blend of the wine. A lot of effort is expended in order to achieve low yields, thus encouraging the grapes harvested to be of the best quality and intensity, and the sorting process of the grapes is meticulous to ensure that only the best grapes contribute to the final wine. When Gérard Perse bought the estate the vineyards were in extremely poor condition and required extensive replanting. Along with this, Perse also extended the vineyards at Pavie by 2.5 hectares when he purchased the vines of Château La Clusière, an integration which was allowed as the terroirs were judged to be similar enough, and a small part of the vineyards at Pavie-Decesse were also incorporated into the vineyards at Pavie. Perse renovated the entire estate, with work finishing in 2000, and in 2011 he began a complete renovation of the winemaking facilities to an extremely modern state of the art facility which was completed in 2013.

In the winery

The characteristics of the wine produced at Château Pavie changed dramatically when Perse took over control of the estate. Previously, the wine had been a much lighter style than what is being produced now, and arguably more subtle and elegant, with some saying that the pre-1998 wines had been a truer expression of Saint-Émilion. The style produced now is deeply coloured and flamboyant, with notes of dense dark fruits, chocolate, truffle and spice. Because of the intensity of this wine, it often needs around 15 years to mature. A comparison of pre and post-1998 vintages would show just how drastically different these two styles truly are. Pavie is a clear favourite of Neal Martin and Robert Parker, with a big shift in their scores being seen from the year that Perse took over.

Since then, no vintage has received fewer than 90 points, with the 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2010 vintages all receiving a perfect 100 points. As Parker writes: “Pavie’s style of low yields, ripe fruit and serious extraction does produce, even in lighter vintages, a very concentrated and dense wine, but in the great years, the results are legendary.”

The estate also produces a second wine called Les Arômes de Pavie. Originally called Château Tour Simard, the first vintage of Les Arômes was produced in 2005. Mostly made with the juice from young vines, Les Arômes is made with more Merlot than the Grand Vin and has some of the elements found in the top wine, although it is much softer, making it an excellent starting point from which to explore the wines of Château Pavie. Gérard Perse also creates another wine, called Esprit de Pavie. The wine is aged in barrels previously used in making his other wines, including Château Pavie, and is made up of grapes originating from a variety of Perse-owned sources in Saint-Émilion, bringing together the various estates and styles into one wine.

The 2019 Vintage

A few words from Gerard Perse, owner of Château Pavie, on the 2019 vintage.

The 2019 growing season was incredibly dry and hot. How did you cope with the drought and heat spikes and other climatic pressures during the growing season?

The excellent cool soils of the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau, as well as its deep clay soils offer ideal conditions. Like a sponge, the limestone absorbs rain during the winter and spring and while the season was hot, the vines were able to self-regulate, going deep to find the necessary mineral and water reserves and protect themselves from any hydric stress due to the heat. On the clay soils, the vineyards were worked differently than usual in order to preserve all their coolness. The welcome September rains brought the grapes to full maturity.

What do you feel had the biggest effect on the final taste profile of the 2019 vintage?

The periods of light rainfall in September greatly contributed to achieving a perfect balance between alcohol and acidity for this vintage.

Tannins play such a vital and defining role in the quality of Bordeaux red wines. How did you manage extraction in 2019?

The softer the extraction, the more delicate the tannins. Contrary to 2018, the extractions in 2019 were more easily achieved, over a shorter period.

What do the wines look like at this early stage?

The samples give promise of a great vintage with great fruit. The wines are particularly balanced, showing richness without being heavy. The black fruit aromas have a rare intensity. The tannins are elegant and supple. There is a very attractive length with a lot of freshness.

Tell us a little about the characteristics of each of the varieties in 2019.

The Merlot is less exuberant than in 2018, and has produced an unexpected freshness. The Cabernet has contributed very balanced wines by imparting a good, tight crispness.

How do you think 2019 compares to other vintages?

This vintage is reminiscent of other exceptional years. It is clearly less austere than 2009 or 2015 with tannins that are fresher, more elegant and less massive than 2010 or 2016.

For you, what continues to make top Bordeaux wine so unique, so age-worthy and so relevant in today's fine wine market?

The regulations are constraining (no irrigation, etc.), but each vintage is unique since it is the true reflection of the weather conditions of a given year. Contrary to other wines and other appellations, Bordeaux is not a single-varietal wine, but rather the result of an assemblage of three or four main varieties. All of this contributes to making wines with a greater capacity for long aging and a more complex aromatic profile.

Read the full report: Bordeaux 2019 A Vintage Preview

About the producer

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2018 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

97.7

£1,748.00

6x75cl

18L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£7,700.00

18L

£7,700.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

15L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£6,270.00

15L

£6,270.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

12L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£5,016.00

12L

£5,016.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£3,674.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

3x3L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£3,588.00

3x3L

£3,588.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£3,499.00

6xMags

£3,499.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 117 Marketplace

£3,499.00

12x75cl

£3,499.00

0 Immediate | 117 Marketplace

1 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

£2,449.00

1 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

6x75cl

4 Immediate | 97 Marketplace

£1,748.00

6x75cl

£1,748.00

4 Immediate | 97 Marketplace

3xMags

4 Immediate | 12 Marketplace

£1,748.00

3xMags

£1,748.00

4 Immediate | 12 Marketplace

2018 Les Aromes de Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

93.5

£76.00

Bts

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 293 Marketplace

£879.00

12x75cl

£879.00

0 Immediate | 293 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 150 Marketplace

£440.00

6x75cl

£440.00

0 Immediate | 150 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

£76.00

Bts

£76.00

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

2017 Les Aromes de Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

91.4

£444.00

6x75cl

3x3L

0 Immediate | 20 Marketplace

£910.00

3x3L

£910.00

0 Immediate | 20 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 40 Marketplace

£888.00

6xMags

£888.00

0 Immediate | 40 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 65 Marketplace

£888.00

12x75cl

£888.00

0 Immediate | 65 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 300 Marketplace

£444.00

6x75cl

£444.00

0 Immediate | 300 Marketplace

2017 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

95.6

£285.00

Bts

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 44 Marketplace

£3,408.00

12x75cl

£3,408.00

0 Immediate | 44 Marketplace

3xMags

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£1,703.00

3xMags

£1,703.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 168 Marketplace

£1,703.00

6x75cl

£1,703.00

0 Immediate | 168 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,163.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 27 Marketplace

£854.00

3x75cl

£854.00

0 Immediate | 27 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£568.00

Mags

£568.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 11 Marketplace

£285.00

Bts

£285.00

0 Immediate | 11 Marketplace

2016 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

97.6

£357.00

Bts

27L

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£12,858.00

27L

£12,858.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

3x3L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£4,394.00

3x3L

£4,394.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 17 Marketplace

£4,285.00

6xMags

£4,285.00

0 Immediate | 17 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 43 Marketplace

£4,285.00

12x75cl

£4,285.00

0 Immediate | 43 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

£2,999.00

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

3xMags

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£2,143.00

3xMags

£2,143.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

6x75cl

3 Immediate | 122 Marketplace

£2,143.00

6x75cl

£2,143.00

3 Immediate | 122 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£1,464.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£715.00

Mags

£715.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 12 Marketplace

£357.00

Bts

£357.00

0 Immediate | 12 Marketplace

2015 Les Aromes de Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

90.3

£123.00

Mags

6xMags

0 Immediate | 18 Marketplace

£722.00

6xMags

£722.00

0 Immediate | 18 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 100 Marketplace

£362.00

6x75cl

£362.00

0 Immediate | 100 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£123.00

Mags

£123.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

2014 Les Aromes de Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

85.0

£780.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 50 Marketplace

£780.00

12x75cl

£780.00

0 Immediate | 50 Marketplace

2014 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

95.6

£432.00

Mags

15L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£4,646.00

15L

£4,646.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

12L

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£3,716.00

12L

£3,716.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

3x3L

0 Immediate | 11 Marketplace

£2,657.00

3x3L

£2,657.00

0 Immediate | 11 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 52 Marketplace

£2,593.00

12x75cl

£2,593.00

0 Immediate | 52 Marketplace

6xMags

0 Immediate | 34 Marketplace

£2,593.00

6xMags

£2,593.00

0 Immediate | 34 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 10 Marketplace

£1,816.00

0 Immediate | 10 Marketplace

3xMags

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£1,297.00

3xMags

£1,297.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

6x75cl

4 Immediate | 102 Marketplace

£1,297.00

6x75cl

£1,297.00

4 Immediate | 102 Marketplace

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£647.00

3x75cl

£647.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

Mags

0 Immediate | 9 Marketplace

£432.00

Mags

£432.00

0 Immediate | 9 Marketplace

2013 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

93.0

£204.00

Bts

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 17 Marketplace

£2,435.00

12x75cl

£2,435.00

0 Immediate | 17 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 23 Marketplace

£1,217.00

6x75cl

£1,217.00

0 Immediate | 23 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

£204.00

Bts

£204.00

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

2012 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

94.8

£232.00

Bts

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 131 Marketplace

£1,384.00

6x75cl

£1,384.00

0 Immediate | 131 Marketplace

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 40 Marketplace

£691.00

3x75cl

£691.00

0 Immediate | 40 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 107 Marketplace

£232.00

Bts

£232.00

0 Immediate | 107 Marketplace

2011 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

93.4

£214.00

Bts

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

£2,547.00

12x75cl

£2,547.00

0 Immediate | 7 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,274.00

6x75cl

£1,274.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£214.00

Bts

£214.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2010 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

94.9

£319.00

Bts

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 52 Marketplace

£3,829.00

12x75cl

£3,829.00

0 Immediate | 52 Marketplace

3xMags

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£1,914.00

3xMags

£1,914.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 71 Marketplace

£1,914.00

6x75cl

£1,914.00

0 Immediate | 71 Marketplace

3x75cl

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£958.00

3x75cl

£958.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 18 Marketplace

£319.00

Bts

£319.00

0 Immediate | 18 Marketplace

2008 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

93.8

£2,360.00

12x75cl

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£2,360.00

12x75cl

£2,360.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2006 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

94.0

£2,330.00

12x75cl

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£2,330.00

12x75cl

£2,330.00

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2004 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

94.0

£202.00

Bts

12x75cl

4 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£2,400.00

12x75cl

£2,400.00

4 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Bts

10 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£202.00

Bts

£202.00

10 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2003 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

96.0

£946.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£2,767.00

12x75cl

£2,767.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£946.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

2002 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

93.0

£206.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£206.00

Bts

£206.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2001 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

94.0

£223.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£223.00

Bts

£223.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

2000 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

98.0

£5,450.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

£5,450.00

12x75cl

£5,450.00

0 Immediate | 5 Marketplace

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£5,450.00

12x75cl

£5,450.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Duty Paid

1999 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

92.5

£228.00

Bts

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£2,716.00

12x75cl

£2,716.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Duty Paid

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£929.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 9 Marketplace

£228.00

Bts

£228.00

0 Immediate | 9 Marketplace

1998 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

94.7

£3,083.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£3,083.00

12x75cl

£3,083.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

1997 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

86.0

£180.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 13 Marketplace

£180.00

Bts

£180.00

0 Immediate | 13 Marketplace

1996 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

83.5

£339.00

Mags

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£339.00

Mags

£339.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

1995 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

83.0

£180.00

Bts

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£1,073.00

6x75cl

£1,073.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 16 Marketplace

£180.00

Bts

£180.00

0 Immediate | 16 Marketplace

1994 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

72.0

£333.00

Mags

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£333.00

Mags

£333.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

1990 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

90.5

£181.00

Bts

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£181.00

Bts

£181.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£181.00

Bts

£181.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

Duty Paid

1989 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

89.0

£168.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

£168.00

Bts

£168.00

0 Immediate | 6 Marketplace

1988 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

84.0

£148.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£148.00

Bts

£148.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

1986 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

87.0

£2,165.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£2,165.00

12x75cl

£2,165.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

1985 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

88.5

£178.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£178.00

Bts

£178.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

1982 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

88.0

£1,411.00

6x75cl

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£2,824.00

12x75cl

£2,824.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

£1,411.00

6x75cl

£1,411.00

0 Immediate | 4 Marketplace

1981 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

85.0

£2,932.00

12x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£2,932.00

12x75cl

£2,932.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

1979 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

85.0

£131.00

Bts

LA
Label: Damaged

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£135.00

Bts

LA
Label: Damaged

£135.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

Bts

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

£131.00

Bts

£131.00

0 Immediate | 3 Marketplace

1978 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

78.0

£181.00

Bts

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£181.00

Bts

£181.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

1975 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

72.0

£133.00

Bts

LE
Level: TS

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£133.00

Bts

LE
Level: TS

£133.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

1937 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

£472.00

Bts

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£472.00

Bts

£472.00

0 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

1925 Pavie

Pavie

Bordeaux

£261.00

Hlvs

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£261.00

Hlvs

£261.00

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

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