Château Pavie 2014 1,5L/2017/2022/2023

Château Pavie 2023 is one of the most prestigious and imposing reds of Saint-Émilion (Premier Grand Cru Classé A) in Bordeaux, France. This vintage stands out for its huge freshness, precision and great ageing potential.

During the barrel tastings (en primeur), James Suckling gave Château Pavie 2023 an impressive provisional score of 98–100 points, placing it among the most remarkable wines of the 2023 vintage on Bordeaux's right bank.

In his review, the critic highlights the extraordinary combination of power and elegance. Despite its high tannic concentration and medium-to-full-bodied structure, Pavie has a refined texture and a vibrant palate, described as light, airy and full of energy all at once.

Freshness is another of its great strengths. With a pH of 3.41, the wine has a bright, precise, dynamic profile, giving a liveliness rare for a red of this scale.

On the nose, intense notes of fresh currant, orange peel and mineral nuances of wet stone stand out, complemented by delicate saline touches that add complexity and depth.

Suckling attributes much of this uniqueness to the estate's limestone terroir, which he considers decisive in giving the wine its striking identity and exceptional character in this vintage.

The review ends with a particularly expressive statement: the depth and intensity of Château Pavie 2023 are simply “out of this world”.

The Wine Advocate
RP 99

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

There was no frost in the vineyard in 2017, thanks to its elevated position on the limestone plateau. Made of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested between 25 September and 3 October, the 2017 Pavie is a very deep garnet-purple colour and opens slowly and sensually in the glass with building aromas of Black Forest cake, black plum preserves, blueberry compote and fruitcake, plus hints of melted chocolate, liquorice, crushed rocks and Indian spices, with a waft of violets.

Full-bodied, the palate has a powerful impact, loaded with vibrant layers of black and blue fruit. All that decadent fruit is supported by fantastic freshness and very, very ripe, velvety tannins, ending with an epic, extremely long finish.

In 2017, location was everything. Pavie has one of the most enviable sites in all of Bordeaux, and this spectacular wine clearly shows it.

Published: 16 March 2020.