1975 Pavie

The 1975 Pavie, coming from the period of ownership of the Valette family, is a vintage that I have only tasted once, back in 2010, when it was not terrible...but not exactly the wine of the week. This bottle is far superior – I am not the only person around the table amazed when its identity was revealed. Noticeable by its wide brick rim, it has a mature nose with Bing cherry, undergrowth and a subtle estuarine influence. As it opens, hints of freshly rolled tobacco emerge. The palate is very well balanced and fresh, not a deep or concentrated wine, notwithstanding that it is 43 years old. But it comes across as so nimble on its toes that you cannot help be smitten by its charms. Are all bottles like this? Perhaps there could be a lot of variation but certainly this attests to the quality of Pavie's terroir in a growing season that did favour the Right Bank. Tasted blind at "Philip's Belated February Christmas Lunch."