2019 Chateau Pavie St Emilion

Pro Reviews

Wine Advocate (WA)

While the 2019 Pavie does display a touch more restraint that the wines produced here a decade ago, it remains one of the most powerful, extracted wines in all of Bordeaux, exhibiting a glass-staining, opaque purple-black color and a rich bouquet of cherries, blackberries and berry fruit liqueur mingled with sweet spices, loamy soil, licorice and rose petals. Full-bodied, powerful and muscular, it’s thick and textural, with a layered, multidimensional mid-palate laden with ripe fruit and rich, chewy tannins, concluding with a long, youthfully grippy finish. The evolution of the early Pese-era wines at age 20 leads me to suspect that time will be kind to this 2019, but couldn’t this great site—which naturally delivers elevated maturity combined with low pH—be rendered with more charm and sensuality? – 18/03/2022

James Suckling (JS)

This is superb with great length and quality tannins. It’s full-bodied with intense, polished tannins and great length. Tar and black fruit. Goes on for minutes. On and on. We will see which is better: 2019 or 2018. – June 3, 2020

Jeb Dunnuck (JD)

The grand vin, the 2019 Château Pavie is based on 50% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, continuing the trend toward less Merlot in the final blend. Brought up in 80% new French oak (this has also decreased over the past handful of years), it reveals an inky purple/blue hue as well as a fresh, vivid bouquet creme de cassis, toasted spice, violets, chocolate, and graphite. Just a rich, sexy, full-bodied wine, it stays straight and focused on the palate, with silky tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, and flawless balance. It’s going to be drinkable with just short-term cellaring yet still evolve beautifully for 30 years. – June 11, 2020

Vinous Media (VM)

The 2019 Pavie is a showstopper. A wine of soaring intensity and grandeur, Pavie is striking from the very first taste. A rush of red/purplish berry fruit, mocha, dried flower and lavender builds effortlessly. The purity of the flavors is just striking. Racy, deep and sensual through to the finish, Pavie is magnificent. What a wine. – Antonio Galloni – 18/06/2020

Janis Robinson (JR)

50% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. First year there’s been a 50/50 Merlot/Cabernets split. Barrel sample. Deep purple-black to the rim. Dark, ripe and complex with a leafy, blackcurrant note. Still assertively tannic and powerful but there’s a little more restraint and the tannins are polished and refined. Cool limestone terroir shows. Finishes on a muscly, chewy note. Plenty of wine but will need time. (JL) – 04/06/2020