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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Smooth and mellow, with a lovely full-bodied character and delicious ripe fruit.

About the estate:

The grand cellars of Château Pavie are befitting of 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 its acquisition in 1998. His commitment—both in terms of cultivation and financial investment—is total: the plots spanning the plateau and the southern slope now cover 37 hectares, situated between the estates of Pavie-Decesse, Larcis-Ducasse, and La Gaffelière. The wine’s style achieves a balance—unique so far on the Right Bank—between the utmost fullness and 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 estate. (The 2000 vintage, tasted recently, demonstrated exceptional elegance and fullness.) The 2016 and 2017 vintages have gained even more nuance and have reached their peak. Those in a hurry can already invest in Esprit-de-Pavie: a sappy and very flavorful Bordeaux for less than 20 euros!

Decanter

About the wine:

This wine is already dense 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

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

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, divided into three distinct zones—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 of the First Growths. This rise is also due to the considerable investments made by its owner since 1998, Gérard Perse, a businessman who made his fortune in mass retail. Inaugurated in 2013, a new winery designed by Alberto Pinto, an interior designer for palaces and luxury hotels, marks the estate’s rise to the pinnacle of the industry and enables even more precise winemaking.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

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 generous fruit. The long, elegant finish is distinguished by its remarkable restraint.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Acquired in 1997 by Gérard Perse, the estate has gone from strength to strength, championing a resolutely modern style characterized by high concentration. Extremely low yields, a focus on achieving full ripeness in the grapes, intensive extraction, and luxurious 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 the vinification facilities, and above all the creation of a bright, Versailles-style reception hall spanning 600 m², 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, promotes the longevity of the wines. Without losing any of their grandeur, the latest vintages nevertheless show a slight shift toward greater flexibility in the early years, with a more natural expression.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

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 youth. (RH) 2020–2035

James Suckling

About the wine:

This wine, with its aromas of dried fruit and damp earth, is particularly appealing, featuring 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.

Jeb Dunnuck

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

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. 14.3% ABV.