2016 Pavie
By Chateau Pavie
2016 Pavie by Chateau Pavie, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
The illustrious 2016 vintage from the legendary Chateau Pavie stands resolutely as a paragon amongst its Saint-Emilion peers. This vintage, coming after a stellar predecessor, has carved its own niche with a distinctive blend of grace and intensity made possible by the harmonious climatic conditions that presided over the Right Bank in that year.
Terroir and Time: The Hallmarks of Investment-Worthy Wine
At the core of 2016 Pavie's unique profile is the estate's unwavering stewardship of terroir coupled with meticulous timing. The conditions in 2016 ushered an unhurried and fortuitous ripening season, allowing the Merlot grapes to develop an expressive depth, flanked by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with their intrinsic structural accentuations. This precise dance between varietals and climate finds its encore in a bottle worthy of a discerning investor’s portfolio.
The Character of a Quintessential Vintage
In a symphony of olfactory complexity, 2016 Pavie articulates notes that are indicative of both power and elegance. The wine, deep ruby in hue, speaks of moreish black fruits, interwoven with insinuations of earthy truffles and the subtle spice that only French oak can bestow. Upon tasting, it offers velvety tannins that promise remarkable resilience and longevity, traits that savvy investors often seek out as guarantees of maturation potential.
Fundamentally, what sets the 2016 vintage apart at Chateau Pavie is its inherent balance. Achieving equilibrium between concentrated fruit expression and poised acidity; it represents not only a high point in Bordeaux's winemaking but also an investment-grade artefact destined to evolve splendidly.
The expertise imbued into every facet of 2016 Pavie's production is evident – an offering primed to supplement any distinguished collection. For those seeking to expand their enological assets, embracing this extraordinary representation from Chateau Pavie could indeed prove judicious.
Market price (GBP)
£2,630.00
12x75cl
Highest score
100
POP score
131.5
Scores and tasting notes
This is more compressed and tighter than the 2015. It’s full-bodied, but very tight and focused. So linear and long. Love the gorgeous finesse. Goes on for minutes. All about finesse...new profile.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, April 4th 2017
The 2016 Pavie a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Very deep purple-black in color, it needs a little coaxing to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal a fragrant perfume of violets, chocolate-covered cherries, crushed blueberries and eucalyptus over a core of preserved plums, kirsch, black raspberries and crème de cassis plus hints of licorice and chargrilled meat. Full-bodied and built like a brick house, it has a solid foundation of firm, super ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness interknit with the black fruit preserves and minerally layers, finishing very long and very decadent. Superb!
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 29 March 2019
This is a head-turner, with intense raspberry, cassis and boysenberry reduction notes pumping along, inlaid with a graphite edge and backed by waves of roasted apple wood, anise and fruitcake. Yet as large-scale as this is, it’s still harnessed by a fine, chalky minerality through the finish. "Wow" wine.—J.M.
Wine Spectator - The Wine Spectator (James Molesworth)
Dark crimson. Rich, sweet nose. In the vineyard there's just 50% Merlot! Very sweet start and really hard work. But much less exaggerated than it used to be. Sinewy. Some appetising quality. Very juicy start but then it dries on the finish. These wines are very different from the others in the appellation and I have to conclude that the owner and team taste differently from me and don't mind the drying finishes. For drama this deserves my score and it may well settle down to something lovely eventually.
Jancis Robinson - jancisrobinson.com