Vintage
The 2021 vintage began with a sunny month of March which brought about bud-break in very good conditions. It was during spring time that things got complicated with repeated cold snaps that continued into May. The weather during June and July was no kinder with spells of heavy rain. Summer finally set in with fine, dry weather, high temperatures and cool nights. These two months of more favourable weather conditions enabled the grapes to reach very good ripeness levels. The harvesting was decisive, and thanks to carrying out a stringent selection of the bunches we succeeded in preserving the fruit's best aromatic potential. Through making precise technical choices, being flexible in our wine-growing practices and our teams' perseverance, we achieved wines of very fine quality
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
28/09 to 12/10
Aging
75% new oak , 25% one year old barrel for 18 months
Surface area
37 hectares
Average age of the vines
33 years
Blend
52% merlot, 30% cabernet franc, 18% cabernet sauvignon
Yields
33 hl/ha
Tasting notes
2021 got off to a bad start. Mother Nature gave us a hard time with a devastating spring frost.
A special feature of this plateau however is its ability to cope with adverse weather conditions. Though it proved a tricky period, we came through it well, and there’s every chance that our 2021 will turn out to be a really great vintage. Time will tell.
Pavie 2021 displays a dark, dense, very deep purplish-blue colour.
A wonderful sight to behold.
The nose reveals aromatic precision and lovely intensity. The aromas are pleasantly complex and fascinating: a mix of black fruits, blackcurrant jelly, together with some empyreumatic hints, such as grilled and toasted notes, which complement the array of fruit expression.
An aromatic concentration comes to the fore but with vivacity and freshness.
Energising menthol fragrances show how excellent ripeness can be successfully combined with fresh fruit character.
What an amazing mid-palate! The body of the wine takes centre stage and just rolls along the palate, round and smooth. The wine’s flesh is underpinned by a fine, precise backbone.
The tannins are round and small-grained, coming through in smooth fashion with a coated texture.
Lovely energy on the mid-palate.
A sappy, spicy finish with the flavours of juicy, ripe fruits appearing once again, along with very good length of flavour, characteristic of great wines.
The finish goes on forever. No unpleasant bitterness, only softness and delicacy.
This is a truly great wine, since it expresses the ripeness of the Pavie plateau without the influences of hot weather and generosity.
A superb wine. We’ll look forward to watching it develop.
Power and elegance wrapped in a velvet cloak.
This 2021 is just wow!
Commentary by David Biraud
World's Best Sommelier Competition 2016 - Best Craftsman of France Sommelier 2004
