Pavie 2021 (750ML)

97 JS / 96 JD / 96 VM / 96 DE / 96 WI / 96 WCI / 17++ JR

Very complex with red currants, iodine and iron. Medium-bodied, with a dense yet energetic palate and a long and racy finish showing chalk and gunpowder. Flinty. 52% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 18% cabernet sauvignon. Tight at the end, suggesting at least four to five years of cellaring. Drink after 2029. - James Suckling

As to the Grand Vin, the saturated ruby/purple-hued 2021 Château Pavie defies the vintage with its ripe, powerful aromatics of cassis, toasted spice, chalky minerality, graphite, and hints of truffly earth. A rich, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, incredibly textured 2021, it has velvety tannins, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It's a testament to the talent and work of this incredible team and is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. The 2021 is based on 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in a mix of new and used barrels, hitting 14.14% alcohol and a pH of 3.67. It’s going to age for 20-25 years if well stored.- Jeb Dunnuck

The 2021 Pavie is a potent, brooding wine that is going to need time to be at its best. Floral and spice notes confer freshness on the bouquet. In this tasting, the 2021 feels a bit tight. I doubt that will be an issue in another few years' time. Structurally, the 2021 is a touch lighter than most recent vintages, but the identity is there. The move towards more Cabernet in the blend since 2019 has markedly changed the character of Pavie. The 2021 is on the linear side today. I can't wait to see how it ages.  - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Extremely dark aromatics on the nose, dark bramble fruits, cedar and liquorice with a really vibrant but dark indigo rim to the wine. Focussed and sharp, high toned in the best way, this really makes you smile when you first taste it, the juicy but almost sweet acidity making the mouth water while salty, but so well defined tannins coat the mouth giving the structure and support. Lovely finesse and movement from start to finish and an excellent weight too - deep and round but straight and pristine. Feels a bit relaxed, quite elegant and not pushed or too tense at this point. A lovely wine to drink, acidity, fruit purity, fine tannins and a sense of balance and good construction. Still a little constricted on the finish, this will need time, but when it hits its drinking window this will be lovely to drink. Fresh and invigorating but keeping the structure and power. - GH, Decanter

The 2021 Pavie has a deep garnet-purple color. It is very closed to start, needing a lot of coaxing and swirling to reveal notes of fresh black plums, black raspberries, and wild blueberries, plus underlying hints of lilacs, crushed rocks, forest floor, and jasmine tea. The medium-bodied palate is taut and tense, with latent, energetic notes of red, black, and blue berries intertwined with mineral and floral notes, supported by firm, fine-grained tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing long and perfumed. So, so pretty! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

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. - James Suckling 

The blend of dark, red cherries, salty crushed stones, flowers, licorice, chocolate, and espresso works to create the attention seeking perfume. Moderately less concentrated than recent vintages, but with more vibrancy, energy, and finesse, the wine delivers its salty, essence of red fruits, spice, and chocolate-mint with ease. There is tension and ample dark, red fruits that carry through to the endnote. The wine blends 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2028-2060. - Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

Blackberry and black cherry compote flavors have a restrained juiciness while floral, singed applewood and black tea fil in liberally. The finish extends nicely with a long underlying chalky minerality. Admirable effort for the vintage. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040.-James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Beautiful depth of colour, and the aromatics take their time to open, giving a closed slightly austere feel at first. Shows a verticality through the palate, with pummice stone scrape to the tannins, opening up to show black chocolate and creamy blueberry through the mid palate, and softer black cherry, damson, mandarin peel and tea. Harvest September 28 to October 12. No chaptilisation, the powerful south-facing slopes coming in extremely handy in 2021. 75% new oak, 3.67ph.-Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Deep purple hue. Poised and fresh with dark-fruit and floral notes. Fresh and minerally on attack but sweet and ripe in the middle, the tannins finely honed. Chalky and long on the finish. Powerful, structured, the terroir evident but everything in balance. Good potential. -James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson