CRITIC REVIEWS
Jeb Dunnuck
Bottled under a black label to celebrate Pavie’s addition to the Grand Cru Classé “A” classification, the 2012 Chateau Pavie is a brilliant wine, and readers with bottles in their cellars are in for a treat. From a bottle purchased in the US, this deep purple-hued beauty takes plenty of air (it showed best the day after opening) to show at its best yet offers incredible notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, scorched earth, graphite, leafy herbs, violets, and background oak. Rich, full-bodied, and powerful, it nevertheless has incredible elegance and purity, with loads of silky tannins, terrific freshness, and a blockbuster finish. I continue to believe 2012 was a great, great vintage for the Right Bank, and this just adds fuel to the fire. This beauty is approachable today yet will mostly likely merit a triple-digit rating in 5-7 years and will keep for 30-40 years, given its impeccable balance and depth of fruit.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2012 Pavie is medium to deep garnet colored. It charges out with flamboyant prunes, Chinese five spice, and sandalwood notes, followed by hints of cast-iron pan, dusty earth, and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, rich, and decadently spicy, the palate delivers velvety tannins and a lively line, finishing with great length.