Arômes de Pavie Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 - Second Vin

Creamy and smooth, with a lovely full-bodied character and delicious ripe fruit.

Château Pavie’s grand cellars live up to its status as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, a designation it earned in 2012. Both the vineyard and the cellars have been completely restructured over the past few vintages by Gérard Perse, who has embodied the estate’s revival since his acquisition in 1998. His commitment—both in terms of viticulture and financial investment—is total: the plots, encompassing both the plateau and the southern slope, now span 37 hectares, situated between the châteaux Pavie-Decesse, Larcis-Ducasse, and La Gaffelière. The wine’s style combines, in a balance hitherto unique on the Right Bank, the utmost richness with a precisely calibrated nobility of texture. The great terroirs speak with flamboyant majesty, provided one is willing to wait at least a decade; otherwise, one risks missing the true complexity of the cru. (The 2000 vintage, tasted recently, demonstrated exceptional elegance and fullness.) The 2016 and 2017 vintages have gained even more nuance and are reaching their peak. Those in a hurry can already invest in Esprit-de-Pavie: a sappy and very flavorful Bordeaux for less than 20 euros!

This wine is already full-bodied and harmonious. It will take 6 to 8 years to reach its full potential, making it one of the least accessible second wines of this vintage for those who wish to enjoy it young. However, it already displays a strong personality, with a distinct Pavie character. 2022–2038

Truly established in the 19th century, Pavie’s vast 37-hectare vineyard stretches across the eponymous hillside, one of the cradles of local viticulture dating back to the 4th century. Its unique terroir, comprising three distinct sections—the limestone plateau, the hillside with its dense, deep clay, and the sandy-clay foothills with a touch of gravel—justifies its inclusion in 2012 among the elite ranks of the First Grand Crus Classé A. This rise to prominence is also due to the considerable investments made by its owner since 1998, Gérard Perse, a businessman who made his fortune in the retail sector. Inaugurated in 2013, a new winery designed by Alberto Pinto—an interior designer known for his work on palaces and luxury hotels—seals the estate’s rise to the pinnacle of the wine world and enables even more precise winemaking techniques.

This vintage of Château Pavie’s Second Wine is a blend of 66% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was aged in equal parts in new and used French oak barrels (50% one-year-old barrels). With a deep garnet color and purple highlights, Arômes de Pavie 2015 reveals a captivating nose of smoked meats, fragrant earth, and aromatic herbs. At the heart of this wine, aromas of ripe red and black plums, cherry compote, and blackberry tart mingle with a hint of dried lavender. Well-structured, it offers very fine, ripe tannins on the palate with remarkable firmness, supported by a harmonious freshness that complements the wine’s generous fruit. The long, elegant finish stands out for its remarkable restraint.

Acquired in 1997 by Gérard Perse, the estate has gone from success to success ever since, championing a resolutely modern style characterized by high concentration. Extremely low yields, a focus on achieving full ripeness in the grapes, intensive extraction, and lavish aging: all the factors that theoretically enhance wine quality are in place. And the investments never stop... The impressive and massive expansion of the cellars and winemaking facilities—and above all, the creation of a bright, Versailles-style 600 m² reception hall, inaugurated in June 2013. The estate does not seek to produce easy, immediate wines, but rather to establish a long-term vision. The terroir of the southern slope—one of the very best in Saint-Émilion—fosters the wines’ longevity. Without losing any of their grandeur, the most recent vintages nevertheless show a slight shift toward greater flexibility in their early years, with a more natural expression.

A truly excellent nose—rich with blackcurrant, dark chocolate, cedar, sweet spices, and that classic, profound restraint. And yet, it is also powerful—the typical power of Pavie. Its structure is evident—firm and grainy, with lively acidity and excellent length. The foundations of a great wine, with tannins that are still developing and need more time—though it’s already enjoyable to drink if you appreciate the power of its youth. (RH) 2020–2035

This wine, with its aromas of dried fruit and damp earth, is particularly appealing, with notes of cedar and sandalwood. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and great finesse, it offers a velvety texture. An excellent second wine from Château Pavie. Best enjoyed starting in 2022.

The color is dark, and the nose is intense, with notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and spices. The wine is dense, tannic, tight, and a bit harsh. 66% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.30°.