2013 Pavie
By Chateau Pavie
2013 Pavie from Chateau Pavie, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
In the mosaic of Bordeaux vintages, the 2013 Pavie from Chateau Pavie is one that commands attention with its defiance of a challenging year. For investors and connoisseurs alike, the profound understanding of terroir and masterful vinification becomes evident in this extraordinary release from one of Saint-Emilion's most esteemed chateaux.
Vintage Character: A Testament to Resilience
The 2013 vintage presented a litany of challenges to Bordeaux vignerons – capricious weather patterns and a particularly inclement summer. However, the astute team at Chateau Pavie meticulously harnessed the winery's favourable south-facing slopes and limestone-rich soils to garner a wine that epitomises both grace and fortitude. Such an endeavour ensures that the 2013 Pavie stands as a testament to the resilience and deft expertise of its creators.
2013 Pavie: A Vintage Investment Profile
It's imperative for any investor considering the 2013 vintage to acknowledge the meticulous selection process that gave rise to such a remarkable cuvee. By embracing strict grape selection and innovative viticultural methods, Chateau Pavie succeeded in crafting a wine with a compelling composition—providing an intensely fragrant bouquet, redolent of crushed blackberries, hints of licorice, and a delicate interlacing of smoky oak nuances.
On the palate, the 2013 Pavie unfolds with precision—a testament to its thoughtful élevage. It deftly balances concentration with poise, threading vibrant acidity through layers of textured plum skins and earthy undertones. It is a wine that revels in its structure, yet promises further maturation with outstanding cellaring potential.
In a realm where each vintage carries its unique fingerprint, the 2013 Pavie from Chateau Pavie demonstrates how adversity can yield an offering replete with complexity and aging promise—qualities intimately aligned with judicious fine wine investment.
Concluding Notes on an Investment-Worthy Vintage
As this review concludes, it's clear that the 2013 Pavie stands as a notable acquisition for those vested in the longevity and prosperity of their cellar portfolio. Its emergence from a challenging year not only speaks to the resilient spirit of Chateau Pavie but also to the potential rewards that await those who appreciate Bordeaux's more enigmatic vintages.
Market price (HKD)
HK$22,052.38
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
177.46
Scores and tasting notes
A dense purple color is followed by notes of creme de cassis, mulberries, forest floor and loamy soil with a hint of spicy oak in the background. The oak component is completely balanced by the wine's rich fruit, medium-bodied texture, and impressive purity, length and equilibrium. The 2013 Pavie should turn out to be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage, drinking well in 4-5 years and lasting 15-20.
Harvested between October 3-8, this great vineyard situated on the limestone hillsides of the Cote Pavie is a final blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields were 26 hectoliters per hectare, and only 50% of the production made it into the 2013 Pavie. The Merlot crop was largely destroyed by poor flowering, and there is also some re-planting going on. When I visited the magnificent new cellars, Gerard Perse told me that most vines had no more than two to three grape bunches per vine. The natural alcohol came in at 13.26% and the pH was relatively modest. The result is one of the superstars of this difficult vintage.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #214 Aug 2014
The 2013 Pavie was actually quite reticent on the nose compared to the 2013 Bellevue Mondotte, gently unfolding with mulberry, forest floor and wild mint aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, gently gripping the mouth with a touch of chalkiness underneath the caressing finish. There is a little chewiness here and as I suspected, it might actually be the Pavie-Decesse that is the best wine within Gérard Perse's portfolio.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 October 2016