Vintage
Un hiver doux et un temps clément permettent un lancement rapide et une évolution sans problèmes. Les mois d'Avril et de Mai sont chauds, cela favorise une bonne floraison. Ces températures chaudes continuent en été sans trop de pluie, permettant une pleine maturité des raisins. Le mois de Septembre est marqué par de fortes pluies nous obligeant à vendanger vite afin de ne pas perdre en qualité. C'est avec une grande rigueur et une grande équipe de vendangeurs que nous arrivons à garder intacte la qualité de ce grand millésime.
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
04/10 to 12/10.
Aging
100% new oak barrels for 18 months.
Surface area
32 hectares.
Average age of the vines
48 years.
Blend
70% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, 10% cabernet sauvignon.
Yields
25 hl/ha.
Tasting notes
Lovers of Château Pavie will be delighted with this vintage that is already very enjoyable to drink. It still has a very youthful appearance, with a brilliant, deep, ruby-red colour. There are powerful, complex, and very interesting aromas of black fruit, blackcurrant, stewed prunes, and truffle, as well as a smoky overtone. It is a pure delight to discover the aromatics that come from this terroir. 1999 Pavie has a straightforward attack, going on to reveal very elegant, fine-grained, mouth-watering tannin. This full-bodied wine has an aftertaste of spice and very ripe fruit. In keeping with Pavie's status, the finish is very long and persistent. There is a slight impression of alcohol that disappears if the wine is served at the right temperature (16-18° C). 1999 Pavie goes beautifully with rabbit in a mustard sauce, duck pâté, and truffle in puff pastry - gastronomic dishes enabling this first vintage of the new Pavie era to show its marvellous complexity.
Commentary by David Biraud
World's Best Sommelier Competition 2016 - Best Craftsman of France Sommelier 2004
