Château Pavie, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2010
This is a great and complex terroir just the south east of St Emilion town. Monsieur Perse continues to produce modern examples with huge levels of extract and tannin, however, one of the constants in 2010 is the natural freshness and low pH figures. This certainly helps lift these wines and gives them a vitality and vibrancy not normally detectible at this stage of their evolution. By Perse standards, yields are a healthy 28 hl/ha! 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The bouquet is a smorgasbord of cooked meats, minerals, super-ripe plums, sloe and kirsch. The palate is packed with little berries; pure focussed and intense. Tannins usually dominate tasting notes at this estate, however, we felt that extractions are possibly a little gentler here in 2010 and the tannins are quite ripe and less overpowering. A big, modern style, but balanced and with lift.
critic reviews
Standout quality in an exceptional vintage for Bordeaux, still an absolute baby. Expect a slab of liquorice and chocolate, with an expertly-judged slash of acidity that adds tension and cuts through the opulence of the black cherry, cassis, cigar box, liquorice and kirsch. Intense smoke emerges as it opens, coiled and ready to take it further over the next decade. It's a big wine, not taking any prisoners even at 15 years old, but it is sculpted, chiselled, mouthwatering, and will continue to age for decades - I suggest putting this back in the cellar for now. 80% new oak, brought down from 100% as of the 2006 vintage. Gerard Perse owner, Michel Rolland consultant, Jean-Baptiste Pion winemaker.
Opaque garnet-black in color, the 2010 wows as it erupts from the glass with explosive notes of plum preserves, baked cherries, and creme de cassis leading to hints of sandalwood, tree bark, menthol, and Chinese five spice. The full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit preserves and exotic spices supported by ripe, rounded tannins and amazing tension, with lingering anise and mineral notes on the incredibly long finish. It is delicious now, but will be better with 5-7 more years in bottle.
The 2010 Pavie is conspicuously deeper in colour than its peers. It has a very intense but detailed bouquet with layers of blackberry, raspberry, cedar and subtle floral aromas. The aromatics have gained detail in recent years. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. A demonstrative Saint-Émilion, burly and dense with a powdery-textured finish that is missing the finesse and overall, the clarity and precision that I find on recent vintages. Impressive in terms of size, but it needs time/serious decanting. Tasted at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.