2022 Château Pavie

The 2022 Pavie has quite a rich and extravagant nose, layers of black cherries and boysenberry, a little sloe, showy and decadent. Could be Pavie? The palate is medium-bodied with a glossy opening, but there is structure behind all the intense fruit and pleasing mineralité on the finish. Serious, long-term. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Black label to commemorate ten years of being a Premier Grand Cru Classé 'A', and 25 vintages under Gerard Perse. This vintage is the first which includes fruit formerly used for Pavie Decesse and Bellevue Mondotte. 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 18 months in French oak (75% new). Thick, rich blackcurrant fruit on the nose. High but very fine tannins, as well as high acidic tension. Compact and dense. Despite the powdery tannin, there is a sense of silkiness here, and the core fruit has a clear ageing mandate. Strong tarry aftertaste. (RH)

Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2022 Château Pavie is 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon raised in 75% new barrels for 20 months. It brings a more focused, precise style in its darker berries, graphite, crushed stone, and floral aromatics and flavors. These carry to a full-bodied Pavie with flawless overall balance, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. This pure, powerful, yet aristocratic Pavie will benefit from 7-8 years (you can drink it even today) and have 3-4 decades of longevity.