2024 Château Pavie Grand Cru

James Suckling - 95-96

A very precise Pavie, this has a compacted palate of blue fruit as well as raspberries and hints of sandalwood. Medium-bodied with a tight, linear finish. Racy and fresh at the end. A blend of 51% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 17% cabernet sauvignon.

Vinous - 92-94

The 2024 Pavie is potent and explosive to the core. Blackberry, espresso, licorice, cloves and leather are dialed up to the maximum. The 2024 is an imposing, brawny Pavie that is likely to need a bit of time to be at its most expressive. Today, the 2024 is quite the bruiser, especially in terms of its tannin profile. Like so many wines in 2024, the balance here is on the razor's edge, suggesting that élevage will be critical, especially in terms of preserving the wine's fruit. Aging is 65% new oak and 35% once-used barrels, in other words, on the lower side in terms of new oak at this address. Tasted two times.

Decanter - 95

Floral aromatics and dark fruits with liquorice, cola and clove aspects - almost seductive. Smooth and vibrant, this is assured despite being quite tight and a touch austere at this point. You can feel the tension and the direction but you can't fault the detail and the definition. Finessed tannins, slick and suave with ripe fruit but at the moment this is all in one line, direct and a little strict. Amazingly perfumed. Less accessible now with real bite and tang of limestone, liquorice and clove, although this carries the Pavie signature and is built for the long haul. I really like the work they're doing here and this is a success in 2024. A yield of 24.07hl/ha. Ageing 65% new oak, 35% one fill. Optical sorting. 3.69pH.