Chateau Pavie 2017

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "There was no frost in the vineyard in 2017, due to its situation high upon the limestone plateau. Composed of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, which was harvested from September 25 to October 3, the 2017 Pavie is very deep garnet-purple in color and rolls slowly and sensuously out of the glass with growing scents of Black Forest cake, black plum preserves, blueberry compote and fruitcake plus suggestions of melted chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks and Indian spices with a waft of violets. Full-bodied, the palate packs a powerful punch, laden with electric layers of energetic black and blue fruits. All this decadent fruit is supported by fantastic freshness and very, very ripe, velvety tannins, finishing with epic length. Location, location, location was everything in 2017. Pavie has one of the most enviable locations in all of Bordeaux and boy-oh-boy does it show in this spectacular wine."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The wine of the vintage, the 2017 Chateau Pavie is an incredible achievement and is certainly in the same league as past great vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2016. This hillside terroir escaped from the frost unscathed, and the 2017 is 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in mostly new oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a rock star bouquet of pure creme de cassis, espresso roast, crushed violets, graphite, and a distinct sense of minerality. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it has a wonderful sense of elegance, flawless balance, and again, awesome purity. This sensational effort has some upfront charm yet, given the tannins, a solid 7-8 years of bottle age are warranted and it should cruise for 25-30 years in cool cellars."

JAMES SUCKLING: " Profound, crushed blueberry and blackberry aromas here. Mint and chalk undertones. Full-bodied with a center palate of balanced and ripe fruit with polished and caressing tannins. Excellent finish that goes on for minutes. All in finesse and length. A wine to contemplate and enjoy. Better after 2024."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2017 Pavie is deep garnet in color with a touch of purple. It bounds out with exuberant notes of black and red cherries, black raspberries, and fertile loam plus touches of cumin seed, tar, and licorice. The full-bodied palate is so plush and juicy, with wonderful freshness and a long fragrant finish. This is drinking beautifully but still has loads to give and should cellar for a good 25 years+."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Floral notes emerge from the deep garnet colored wine. Full-bodied, intense, deep, sweet and podgy, this wine is a tsunami of tannin and slate with layers of deep, ripe fruits that will demand aging. Made from a blend of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14.6% with a pH of 3.61. The harvest took place September 25 to October 3."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A stunner, with waves of velvety textured plum sauce, blackberry reduction and warm cassis rolling through, inlaid seamlessly with violet, black tea and singed applewood notes. Voluptuous and showy, but with a very fine chalky minerality pervading on the finish, imparting a sense of grace and refinement. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2040. 6,250 cases made. — JM"

DECANTER: "Excellent concentration and freshness with linear, rich black fruits. You can really feel the crunchy, impressive layers of cigar box, blackberry and slate. It slowly reveals itself in the glass and is really a lovely wine. This has real persistency, it keeps on revealing itself after it has left your mouth, and is not insisting too much - definite improvement after 18 months ageing, bodes well for the future. 3.6pH. A low yield of 32hl/ha but not one that is particularly unusual as they rarely go above 35hl/ha here."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This wine is rich. But it also has a poise and control that balances the richness. With its restrained power and black fruits, the wine will develop impressively. Drink from 2024."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, intensive Kräuterwürze, zarte Röstaromen, Selchhauch, schwarze Beerenfrucht. Kraftvoll, schwarzbeerig, präsente Tannine, etwas Nougat, dezente Extraktsüße, gute Mineralität, verfügt über Entwicklungspotenzial."