Château Pavie 2023

Very deep, ripe dark fruit, stony notes, very noble; on the palate majestic, densely built, great concentration, masses of tannins, powerful yet with elegance and freshness, great length, mineral-driven. A monument in this vintage, with great reserves.

Aromatic nose, clean and clear, lovely pristine black and red fruits, some dark chocolate with violets, graphite and liquorice. Gorgeous succulence, this is so clear and crystalline with some juicy strawberry and bitter orange. A touch of tension gives the backbone and structure—great direction and movement from start to finish. Poised and piercing—so direct—I love the finesse and refinement, everything feels so elegant. Layered and complex but with zing, a sense of life and tons of energy. Still compact, no doubt, as you'd expect, but the tannins are fine and the wine has been well constructed—this will be delicious. An impressive showing for Pavie in 2023. 3.66 pH.

With its black-purple color, just a single swirl reveals blackberries, black cherries, cassis, mint, tobacco leaves, spice, and oceanic influences. The palate is even better, with layers of black and red fruits showcasing a gorgeous sense of purity. The wine is concentrated, deep, long, and intense, as is the minerality. There is an electric vibrance providing a racy mouthfeel that energizes the fruit in the long, expansive finish, buttressed by its aromatics on the palate. The key to the vintage was the ability to wait for the right moments to pick each varietal. To illustrate that point, some of the oldest Merlot vines were harvested after the Cabernet. The wine blends 51% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.25% ABV, pH 3.66. Harvest took place September 18 - October 5. Drink from 2030-2065. 97-99 pts.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Inviting dark berry fruit, blackberry, fresh cherry, delicate oak savoriness, with candied orange zest in the background. Juicy, tightly woven, ripe dark berries, integrated, supporting tannins, lively structure, chalky freshness, good grip, red berry nuances on the finish, a lively, animating style, no trace of opulence, salty aftertaste, good length and assured maturity with definite ageing potential.

51% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32.76 hl/ha, 14.25% vol. Densely interwoven bouquet with blueberry contours, intense violet and iris aromas. On the second nose, redcurrant nectar, graphite, licorice, and lingonberry purée. On the palate, a structured wine with creamy texture, a tight-knit tannic framework, peppery extract, a refined mineral core, and a muscular body. Concentrated, never-ending finish with blue berries, dark minerality, and elevated astringency paired with noble bitterness.

More damson and black cherry fruits, rich and ripe but balanced by tomato leaf and pumice stone. This is intense and concentrated, skilfully constructed, showing fragrant cumin and turmeric spice that lifts through the palate, opening to show black tea, blood orange, cocoa bean, mint leaf—totally delicious and clearly speaking of its limestone soils. Feels at the top of its game. Harvest September 18 to October 5, 72% new oak for ageing, Gerard Perse owner.

Score: 95–97. An opulent, exuberant, hypnotic nose, with lovely complexity and layers of sappy and floral aromas. Exceptional presence on the palate: everything is in balance and abundance. The fruit and the tannins—so appetizing you want to bite into them—have irresistible quality thanks to the freshness.

Lovely fruity nose, fresh and intense, offering dark notes with freshness, intensity with finesse, a certain power with precision, a sense of straightness as well as an infusion-like character. It reveals notes of blackberry and violet, and more subtly dense, fresh small blue fruits, combined with hints of incense and graphite, along with touches of sense of place (local biotope/Mediterranean barrier), spices, a discreet hint of roasted fruit and a subtle touch of blond tobacco. The palate is fruity and balanced, offering juiciness, concentration and depth, lovely definition, indulgence, a tangy acid-driven frame, brightness, precision, fine minerality, a melodious quality and well-controlled power. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackberry, fresh/vibrant blackcurrant and, more lightly, roasted-yet-fresh raspberry, combined with touches of star anise, blue plum, as well as Mediterranean nuances, black pepper, toasty notes and a subtle hint of grilled character, sense of place (local biotope), and a very discreet touch of pine needles and dark chocolate. The tannins are savory and supple. A hint of Bourbon vanilla on the finish.

Plush, warm and inviting in style, this red offers a broad, caressing and steadily rolling wave of plum sauce and boysenberry reduction that combines seamlessly with black tea, cocoa and roasted apple wood notes. There’s a licorice snap echo on the finish. For those that like a little bling with their wine. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2027 through 2040.