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Tasting notes
Still youthful yet I'd wager at the early stages of its prime drinking window, the 2003 Château Pavie shows no signs of bricking and has a stunning – and classic – bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, smoked herbs, chocolate, and smoked tobacco, with plenty of background limestone-like minerality. This beauty is full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, yet the balance is spot on, and it has beautiful tannins, a great mid-palate, and a thrilling finish. This is pure Pavie magic that readers will love to have in the cellar and to drink any time over the coming two decades.
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More reviews and scores
The 2003 Pavie was the infamous vintage that caused a kerfuffle upon release, a kerfuffle that will not retread. It now shows a little bricking on the rim with a dark core. The bouquet with cherry liqueur, honey, potpourri and licorice is not unattractive. Yes, perhaps a bit Italian in style. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins, cooked meat, clove, dried blood, red fruit, balsamic and white pepper, though it lacks some freshness on the finish. There's licorice on the aftertaste, candied and rounded, pleasant if missing some typicity. Tasted at the château.
This controversial wine is fresh and bright still, unlike many of the overrated 2003s. Full-bodied, tight and polished with beautiful intensity and verve. Blackberry and sweet tobacco. Wet earth. Subtle and complex. Straight and direct. Drink or hold.
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.