Pavie - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018

The Wine Independent

98

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe12/13/2023

The 2018 Pavie is deep garnet in color with a touch of purple. Notes of plum preserves, baked blackberries, and molten licorice storm from the glass, leading to a savory undercurrent of black pepper, tapenade, and wild sage. Big, rich, and densely laden, the full-bodied palate is chock full of black and blue fruit preserves, supported by firm, velvety tannins and gripping tension, finishing long and electric.

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

Pavie is positively striking in 2018. Rich and sumptuous to the core, the 2017 possesses stunning depth and impeccable overall balance. Dark cherry, mocha, plum, spice, new leather and licorice all build as the 2018 shows its allure. Silky, polished tannins round out the finish. This is a stellar showing from the Perse family. The 2018 is absolutely gorgeous.

Wine Advocate

99

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

The 2018 Pavie is a blend of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine has a 3.58 pH and 14.48% alcohol. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with a fabulously expressive nose of crème de cassis, baked plums and blueberry preserves, leading to an impressive array of nuances, featuring notions of dark chocolate, camphor, licorice, rose petals and fertile loam, plus hints of crushed rocks and iron ore. The rich, full-bodied palate offers layer upon layer of opulent black and blue fruits with loads of exotic spice sparks and pretty floral and mineral accents, supported by firm, super plush tannins and remarkable tension, finishing with epic length and depth. This could only be Pavie. It makes for a seductively stylish glass now, but patience will be rewarded if it is afforded 5-7 years in bottle, at least, then drink it over the next 30+ years.

Jeb DUNNUCK

100

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

One of the wines of the vintage is the 2018 Château Pavie, and Gérard Perse continues to produce one of the greatest wines in the world, in just about every vintage. Based on 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 shows the slightly more restrained style of the estate today yet still brings classic Pavie richness, depth, and grandeur. Revealing a deep purple color as well as a sensational bouquet of crème de cassis, damp earth, tobacco, chalk, and lead pencil shavings, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, incredible purity, a dense, concentrated mid-palate, and a liqueur of rocks-like sense of minerality on the blockbuster finish. There's a backward, inward style here that actually reminds me of the 2000. This is another magical, probably immortal wine from this terroir that marries power with elegance perfectly. Don't miss it!

The Wine Cellar Insider

99

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

Black ink in color, this could be the most intense wine of the vintage. The intensity is in the color, the palate and in the nose with its licorice, smoke, espresso, crushed rocks, stones, black, red and blue fruit profile. With the weight of dry Port, the wine manages to remain in balance. The fruits are perfectly ripe, expressing purity, length and an incredible depth of flavor and minerality that never wants to quit. There is so much going on here, the wine demands over a decade in the cellar before it begins to unfurl. The wine blends 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Pavie is so superior to the Arômes de Pavie that you wonder if they are from the same region! It has a gorgeous bouquet of enticing scents of black cherries, blueberry and blood orange, evolving more cassis notes with aeration and becoming a little more exotic. The palate is medium-bodied with a candied, sweet entry. Rounded in texture, this is velvety-smooth, although there is palpable grip on the back palate. Quite saline and lightly peppered thanks to the contribution of the Cabernets, this Pavie will require several years of cellaring, but I admire how the limestone terroir defines the lingering minerally aftertaste. Patience required.

Jamessuckling.com

99

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2021

Impressive aromas of pure, crushed blackberries and brambleberries with red and black licorice and black olives, as well as incense, following through to a full body with round, creamy tannins and lots of fruit. Yet, it’s tight and reserved at the finish. Needs three or four years to open and start showing its true character. Powerful and linear. Cellar-bound. Try after 2026.

Wine Spectator

98

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

This is packed with raspberry, plum and boysenberry compote flavors that sail through thanks to the unencumbered feel provided by the polished structure. Fine chalky threads curl throughout as this opens in the glass, with flamboyant flashes of apple wood, anise and violet emerging through the finish. Youthfully dense, but everything is in proportion. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. –JM

Wine Spectator

98

byJames Molesworththe1/26/2021

Gorgeous from start to finish, offering lush layers of raspberry, cassis and plum sauce flavors entwined with licorice, apple wood and rooibos tea notes. There's a serious grip through the finish but this is focused and pure in feel. The encore of fruit detail at the very end is impressive. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Score range: 96 - 99 — JM

Yvesbeck.wine

88

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Esprit de Pavie provient de vignes totalisant 56 hectares. En 2018 le rendement a atteint 48 hl/ha. Belle intensité fruitée dans ce bouquet où je relève également des notes crayeuses. Caractère racé, juteux mais également quelque peu suave en bouche. Un vin sapide à savourer sur le fruit, dans sa jeunesse.

Vinous

96-98

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Pavie was picked from 1 to 10 October. The nose is immediately attractive with incredibly pure black fruit with veins of blueberry and peony. It is intense but not overpowering. On the palate, the vineyard’s limestone soils manage to impart the requisite acidity, therefore there is plenty of tension here. Satin-like in texture, this already feels opulent and luxurious, but unlike vintages of ten years ago, the alcohol and ripeness levels are kept on a leash so that the terroir shines through, hints of blood orange and white pepper on the aftertaste. This has great potential, though as usual, it will require at least a decade in bottle.

WeinWisser

18

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2019

On sent l’intensité tannique et une matière qui se met parfaitement en place. Le cru évoluera de la meilleure des façons dans les prochaines semaines.

Vinous

94-97

byAntonio Gallonithe5/1/2019

The 2018 Pavie is a powerful, racy wine. Deep, unctuous and impeccably polished, the 2018 Pavie has so much to offer. A rush of red/purplish berry fruit, floral notes , leather, lavender and mocha all race across the palate. Even with all of its obvious tannin and structure, the 2018 Pavie is incredibly appealing and sensual from the very first taste. I can't wait to see it in bottle.

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

Possibly the wine of the vintage, the 2018 Château Pavie is comprised of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from this magical hillside terroir just outside of Saint-Émilion. Thrilling notes of crème de cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, smoked herbs, and an almost Hermitage-like minerality all emerge from this young, primordial, viscerally thrilling wine that's got perfection written all over it. Massively textured, full-bodied, ultra-fine and flawlessly balanced, it shows how to pair elegance with richness and power. Bravo! It’s going to need 7-8 years of bottle age and keep for 3-4 decades.

Vinifera

94-96

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

En prise de bois mais d'une grande unicité, profondeur et fraîcheur du nez. Attaque fine et fraîche, vin corsé et traçant, salivant, dynamique au palais, tendu, à la dimension calcaire marquée en bouche, très profond. L'élevage va lui profiter, mais on est bien loin de la réputation baroque qui lui colle aux basques. Aucune surmaturité et il laisse parler le terroir.  

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Pitch black in color with a deep purple sheen, the wine brings intensity to a new level. Massive, the wine coats your palate, teeth and gums with incredible levels of fruit, rocks, smoke and espresso. In fact, the first sip had so much going on you take a step back. But as the fruit fills your mouth, painting it deep purple, you are simultaneously aware of the balance, purity, minerality and flamboyance. The finish holds its place for over 60 seconds. Made from a blend of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14.48% with a pH of 3.51. The harvest took place September 28 to October 10. There is an addendum here, the wine is so packed, it's as if a double magnum of wine was placed into a standard bottle. Is it too much for its own good? It is going to take up to 20 years to know if this wine morphs into a 100 Pt legend or not, (Which is possible) hence the wide score range.

Wine Advocate

97-100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The 2018 Pavie is composed of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested October 1-10 with yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare. The wine has a 3.58 pH and 14.48% alcohol. Very deep purple-black in color, the nose starts off quiet and stern, swiftly growing exponentially in the glass to reveal powerful plum preserves, fruitcake, coffee beans, smoked meats and black olives scents with emerging nuances of roses, hoisin, molten chocolate and licorice plus a waft of candied violets. WOW—the palate explodes with waves of black fruit preserves, exotic spices and savory chocolate, framed by very firm, super ripe, velvety tannins and an electric backbone of freshness, finishing with epic length and energy. Amazing, singular wine—it could only be Pavie.

Jamessuckling.com

98-99

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

This is a very pretty and structured Pavie with a beautiful elegance and depth. Full body and a great core of elegant fruit, surrounded by very fine tannins. Very polished. Extremely long. Finesse with power.

Wine Spectator

96-99

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

Gorgeous from start to finish, offering lush layers of raspberry, cassis and plum sauce flavors entwined with licorice, apple wood and rooibos tea notes. There's a serious grip through the finish but this is focused and pure in feel. The encore of fruit detail at the very end is impressive.

Yvesbeck.wine

97-98

byYves Beckthe4/1/2019

60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon
Pourpre violacé intense. Bouquet élégant, filigrane, se révélant petit à petit et laissant apparaître des notes de myrtilles et de mûres. Touche d’Earl Grey et de menthe. Au palais, le vin est crémeux, dense et doté de tannins compacts aux grains fins, puissants qui se révèlent en fin de bouche. Un Pavie tout en finesse, qui a de la substance, de la profondeur et de la tension en finale. 2024-2043

Decanter.com

96

byJane Ansonthe4/1/2019

Not so long ago, Pavie would have rejoiced in the massive tannic and alcohol potential of this vintage, but they really have done a great job practicing restraint. It doesn't sacrifice Pavie's power but of all the wines in this particular lineup it's the one that carries the weight of the vintage the best, building power by stealth rather than grabbing it from you. This is great quality, with inky depths to the black fruits, accompanied by liquorice and chocolate, and the beautiful salty lick on the finish really completes the picture - your tongue just licks the wall and it's highly enjoyable! Harvest began on 26 September, later than some in the appellation, with a 38hl/ha yield. Although extraction was kept gentle, with the grapes given a week-long cold soak before fermentation at no more than 28°C, then a five-week maceration (longer than some, but these guys used to do eight weeks or more!), they have achieved a high tannin count of 97IPT and 3.58pH.
Drinking Window 2028 - 2042