Arômes de Pavie 2023

Fragrant and floral with some savoury herbal notes too as well as graphite and pencil lead—bright and expressive with lots of Cabernet Franc notes. Supple and bouncy, gorgeous tannins, present and chalky—really filling the mouth but they have a lovely thick texture with pristine clarity of juicy, almost sweet and chalky blue and red berry fruit underneath. Hint of mint on the finish, ending long and lifted. Really carefully worked, complete and calm. Feels quite effortless and will be delicious when it’s ready to drink. Nice balance overall with structure, acidity, fruit and freshness. Ageing 18 months, 50% new oak, 50% one year.

The 2023 Arômes de Pavie comes from a single vineyard, vinified in its own separate cellar, and is replete with a redesigned label. It has a slight menthol note on the nose, a trait that I found in other Right Bank wines. Plenty of black plum and boysenberry, just a bit smudged. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. Mainly black fruit laced with graphite, there is decent weight and freshness on the finish, more than the Clos Lunelles at the moment.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fresh red forest berries, a floral touch, a hint of strawberry confit, inviting bouquet. Elegant, juicy, delicate hints of red currant, fresh structure, mineral-salty, lemon finish.

50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc, 33.97 hl/ha, pH 3.65, 14.51% vol. Intensely blueberry-scented bouquet, beguiling violet perfume, red cassis spice and blueberry drops. On the compact palate with a creamy texture, tightly knit tannic frame, lively, razor-sharp nerve and a muscular body, becoming delicately austere. In the focused, long, aromatic finish, a full load of blue berries, cooled forest fruit tea and finely crumbly astringency, rounded.

Blood orange, fennel, salted cracker, ink—love this. A seriously great Aromes de Pavie, with mouthwatering salinity on the finish and a spring in its step. Harvest September 13 to 23. 50% new oak, the rest in one-year-old barrels.

Score: 92–94. An initial bouquet that is rich and hedonistic, with the invigorating freshness of perfectly ripe fruit and floral sap cutting through all this opulence. Extremely concentrated on the palate, the wine reveals a tight core of black fruit, chalky tannins, a silky, fluid texture, and plenty of presence on the finish. A monumental second wine.

From the outset, the bouquet of Arômes de Pavie highlights ripeness and density. It is concentrated and naturally reveals nuances of ripe fruit, while also underscoring the chalky character of its terroir. Juicy on the attack, the wine stands out for its silky, fresh profile. Its tannins provide excellent support and vigor, in step with the structuring edge of the acidity. A wine with character, charm, and persistence.

A lovely, ripe, fruity nose offering a touch of concentration, depth, purity, dark character, and a precise, intense texture. Notes of blackberry and violet appear, with a lighter hint of star anise, alongside touches of wild small black berries, delicate nuances of small blue fruits and blueberry, fine hints of wild raspberry, and a touch of infusion and camphor. The palate is fruity and balanced, with smoothness, generosity, tension, a certain brightness, roundness, an appealing spherical feel, a tangy acidic backbone, energy, and a vibrant edge. On the palate, the wine shows notes of juicy, fleshy blackberry, juicy roasted cherry, and more lightly black plum, together with hints of violet, tonka bean/mocha, roasted notes, and touches of sweet blond tobacco, fine hints of vanilla, plus a subtle almost roasted-herb nuance and a discreet hint of pepper. The tannins are savory. Good length. A refined saline and sappy character on the finish/persistence.

Black cherries, blackberries, licorice, Asian spice, dark chocolate, and a hint of smoke fill the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is equally dark, with layers of dark, juicy berries, licorice, vibrance, and length, with a chalky endnote in the long finish. Aromes de Pavie is no longer the second wine of Pavie. All of the fruit comes from a specific 11-hectare parcel, so it should be looked at as its own brand. It is interesting to note that all of the vines are old, averaging 53 years of age. The wine blends 50% Merlot with 50% Cabernet Franc. 14.51% ABV, 3.63 pH. Drink from 2027-2040. 92-94 Pts.

Offers a showy, fruit-driven profile, with an up-front burst of raspberry and boysenberry pâte de fruits notes carried by the silky yet persistent structure. A light gloss of black licorice adds sheen to the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028.

Ripe and fruity, with notes of plum, cloves, chocolate and blond tobacco; a juicy palate with plenty of drive, crisp ripe berry fruit, fine-grained tannins, already approachable and charming, with a spicy, long finish. An excellent reflection of its terroir.