Vintage
After a mild winter, a rainy July led to a late harvest. Temperate spring weather allowed the vines to bud smoothly; however, a rollercoaster summer followed with alternate periods of cold and heat and dry and rainy spells. These conditions required our vineyard teams to work twice as hard to make sure that a high quality crop was produced. The generosity of this vintage was down to the careful management of the ripeness in the Merlot and to the meticulous sorting that was performed at harvest. This great right bank vintage revealed complete wines with bright fruit character, freshness and a lovely tannic structure.
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
26/09 to 4/10.
Aging
100% new oak barrels for 18 months.
Surface area
32 hectares.
Average age of the vines
40 years.
Blend
70% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, 10% cabernet sauvignon.
Yields
24 hl/ha.
Tasting notes
Please refer to the comments regarding other Vignobles Perse wines from this vintage. It is obvious that the overall level of 2001 is very good indeed. Château Pavie has a deep purple colour and a nose that is still rather closed-in, and in need of considerable aeration to come out. The bouquet is redolent of black fruit, blackcurrant, and a hint of well-integrated oak. The mouth feel is quite firm, and there is a great deal of substance there, underpinned by a tannic structure that bodes well for good ageing. The aftertaste is that of a very fine, but very young wine with tannin that obviously needs more time. However, 2001 Château Pavie is in no way dry, or unbalanced. It leaves a mouthwatering impression of freshness on the palate, a sure sign of very ripe grapes.
Commentary by David Biraud
World's Best Sommelier Competition 2016 - Best Craftsman of France Sommelier 2004
