1989 Pavie
By Chateau Pavie
1989 Pavie from Chateau Pavie, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
In the pantheon of illustrious Bordeaux vintages, the 1989 Pavie from Chateau Pavie is a beacon of Saint-Emilion's opulence and elegance. As a year that stood on the cusp of a modern era for winemaking, it exemplifies a harmonious bridge between tradition and innovation. The late 1980s were transformative for Bordeaux, with 1989 heralding a shift that would catapult its wines to new heights of global adoration.
A Chronicle of Climate and Craftsmanship
The 1989 vintage's splendour emanates from an auspicious confluence of favourable climatic elements. A mild winter gave way to an ideal spring, laying the groundwork for an exemplary growing season. Prime conditions persisted through summer and harvest, ensuring that each vine could yield fruit at the pinnacle of phenolic ripeness. The resultant wine is not only reflective of meticulous vineyard stewardship but also an insightful snapshot of Bordeaux's climatic potential.
The Pinnacle of Pomerol Provenance
This particular vintage effuses a composition that is both intricate and commanding. On the palate, the 1989 Pavie reveals layers of ripe dark fruit intertwined with hints of truffle and leather - testament to its illustrious terroir and the exceptional management by Chateau Pavie. It maintains a splendid structure and balance that is anchored by supple tannins, ensuring this vintage continues to evolve magnificently in bottle.
The astute wine investor will note that vintages such as the 1989 Pavie represent more than just a consummate gustatory journey; they are time capsules harbouring the essence of their epoch. Such wines are coveted not merely for their sensory delight but for their ability to appreciate and intrigue as part of a fine wine portfolio.
Opulence Married with Opportunity
To taste the 1989 Pavie now is to engage with a wine at the zenith of its evolution - a statement piece in any connoisseur's collection. This vintage embodies the spirit of Saint-Emilion at its most profound and is undoubtedly among one of the region’s paragons of viticulture. It is with confidence that investors can approach this vintage, knowing it represents both storied lineage and robust potential for appreciation - a cornerstone in any discerning portfolio.
To conclude, the 1989 Pavie can not only captivate palates but also strategically enhance an investment collection, with its impressive pedigree and continued reverence among enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Market price (GBP)
£1,890.00
12x75cl
Highest score
89
POP score
210
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted at the Fine Wine Experience's Pavie vertical. The aromatics are more curmudgeonly than the Pavie 1990 when juxtaposed, although it still has fine delineation and it expands nicely in the glass, gaining both vigour and delineation. There is airy quality to this nose, fragrant and floral. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh, rounded entry; very well balanced with good acidity that leads to a cohesive cedar and liquorice-tinged finish that displays fine freshness, if not the complexity of more recent vintages. Tasted June 2010.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2011
Dark plum/garnet with an aroma comprised of underbrush, compost, mushroom, fruitcake, sweet, exotic cherries, and Asian spice, this medium-bodied, relatively hard and angular-styled Pavie is a lot younger than the 1990 and a candidate for two decades of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015. Last tasted, 1/03.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 31 December 2002