critic reviews
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.
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 creme 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.
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.