Vintage
Heavy rainfall during the winter and spring helped our soils to build up great reserves of water, which ultimately turned out to be crucial. Indeed, after an early bud-break, owing to particularly mild winter and early spring temperatures, summer followed with drought conditions and scorching temperatures. Our vines coped well, and our grapes were able to ripen smoothly. In early September, cool and rainy weather conditions returned and enabled us to wait for the optimal moment to pick the grapes. Our grape soffered very good ripeness levels, particularly in the Cabernets, which were very pure and very elegant.
Growing methods
Pruning down to 8 buds for the old vines and to 6 buds for the young vines. Thinning, leaf-stripping. Grapes picked and sorted by hand.
Vinification
Temperature controlled wooden vats. Malolactic fermentation in barrels.
Harvest
from 03/10 to 10/10.
Aging
50% new oak, 50% one year old barrels for 18 months
Surface area
13.5 hectares
Average age of the vines
50 years
Blend
65% merlot, 18% cabernet franc, 17% cabernet sauvignon
Yields
35 hl/ha
Tasting notes
First and foremost, the “Arômes de Pavie” cuvée is a fine example of what those wonderfully-located plots in and around the Pavie estate can produce and convey about a Premier Grand Cru Classé “A”.
This cuvée is a subtle blend of grape varieties and terroirs, the main idea being to offer consumers an opportunity to taste a wine related to the famous Château Pavie at an earlier stage.
In this 2019, we have a vintage that displays a dense, purple colour brought about by the careful extraction of high-quality components during the vinification. The colour is attractive and beautifully deep with great clarity and brilliance.
The aromatics are precise and very intense. Lovely fragrance of fresh black fruits (blackberries) with a touch of milk caramel or English toffee, providing an extra touch of class from the wine’s ageing in oak.
The aromatics then develop, revealing an array of subtle, precise notes, such as sweet spices, liquorice and hints of chocolate.
A nice, crisp sensation on the entry to the palate, followed by tight-knit, tender flesh. Very smooth on the mid-palate with structuring tannins enveloped by the wine’s soft, velvety body.
Lovely ripeness overall.
A rich velvety finish with attractive bitter notes that bring appeal and length of flavour.
A well-crafted wine, which nicely demonstrates our intention to vinify in a precise and straightforward manner.
Commentary by David Biraud
World's Best Sommelier Competition 2016 - Best Craftsman of France Sommelier 2004
