Winemaker Notes

This premier cru wine is adorned with a beautiful, deep violet color. The aromas are explosive, with smoky notes of roasted coffee and a range of rich, jammy black fruit typical of a great wine. Further signs of quality are evident on the palate, where a fresh attack and rich body are supported by elegant tannins that are very noticeable, yet fine. The mid-palate has an extraordinary volume and presence. The finish is long and flavorful, with a liveliness which gives balance to this wine made for long aging. Aromatically, the richness of this Pavie is already evident, but the wine’s texture requires time to polish tannins which are still immature. This is a wine whose greatness will become more evident in the future as time brings out the expression of its excellent terroir. With a potential for aging 10 yearsor even 20this Pavie will go from strength to strength.

Critical Acclaim

JS97
James Suckling
This is very tight and juicy with beautiful dark fruit and hints of smoked meat. Full body and soft, racy tannins. Beautiful finish. Love the acidity and minerals here. Focused and polished.
WS96
Wine Spectator
Very pretty and precise on the nose, with vanilla, blackberry and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and a racy finish. A bit lean, but solid and well-structured. Best after 2012.
RP96
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
cropped low as the viticultural work is impeccable, the winemaking is thoroughly Burgundian in style, and bottling is accomplished with no fining or filtration. With over 90 acres in vine, this is one of the larger of the premier grand cru classes in St.-Emilion. A prodigious effort, the 2006 does not have the sucrosite of the 2005, 2003, or 2000, but it would not be embarrassed if tasted side by side with either of those two titans. A dense purple color as well as an extraordinary perfume of crushed black currants, licorice, wet stones, and subtle background oak are found in this tannic, dense, masculine-styled 2006. Backward and extraordinarily pure, it is built like a Manhattan skyscraper with exceptional focus, depth, texture, and length. Its all here, but 5-10 years of patience will be warranted. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.
WE95
Wine Enthusiast
Always ripe, always velvety and dense in texture, Pavie’s 2006 nevertheless also shows more structure and elegance than in the past few vintages. The result is a great wine, with smoky, rich fruit and a dense, concentrated core of sweet tannins, chocolate and fresh raspberry flavors. While it is seductive now, it really needs many years of aging.
W&S91
Wine & Spirits
Even in blind tastings, the superconcentrated, modern style of Pavie brings out the partisans. One taster described it as “a loudly dressed Liberace cuve.” Another praised its dark, floral fruit, depth and minerality. It is a great terroir, and if you appreciate new oak and deep, rich fruit, Pavie is fine and gracious in the 2006 vintage.