2021, Château Pavie, SAINT-ÉMILION, 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

Gérard Perse has created a magnificent modern winery of marble, stainless steel and new oak barrels and, with very low yields, has been making wines of enormous concentration and power. Farr Vintners.

The 2021 Pavie was picked at 33hL/ha from 28 September until 12 October and matured in 75% new oak, the rest one-year. Team Pavie decided to wait to pick the Cabernet until after the rains just prior to harvest. This is clean and precise on the nose, the Cabernet components (48% of the blend) imparting graphite and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins that frame layered limestone-infused black fruit, quite vibrant and conveying a sense of energy towards the finish. This is clearly top of the tree among his [Gérard Perse] portfolio this year. Superb. 93-95 Neal Martin, Vinous.

Deep black and blue fruit with cocoa and tar character. Compact and full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins that are very textured and interwoven into the wine. This has a lot of structure to go a long way. Yet it remains in balance with finesse. 52% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 18% cabernet sauvignon. 95-96 James Suckling.

Successful, with concentration and power managing a full extraction without bitter edges. Enjoyable cassis, blackberry, with fresher acidities coming through in mandarin peel and white peach. 75% new oak, full on Pavie signature, with plenty of oak caressing, but overall excellent quality. Harvest September 28 to October 12. No chaptilisation, the powerful south-facing slopes coming in extremely handy in 2021.
94 Jane Anson.

Deep garnet-purple in colour, it charges out of the gate with powerful notes of baked black plums, wild blueberries, and boysenberry preserves, plus wafts of cedar, graphite, fallen leaves, and star anise. Medium-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with tons of black fruit layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and amazing tension, finishing very long and mineral-laced. 92-94+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown.