Chateau Pavie 2009

"Bottled the week before I arrived, the 2009 Pavie appears to have barely budged since I tasted it two years ago. Many experts consider this phenomenal terroir to be nearly as great as that of Ausone. Made from a classic blend of 60-70% Merlot, 20-25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, this inky/blue/purple-colored blockbuster reveals wonderful notes of blackberries, crushed rocks, roasted meats, spring flowers, cedar, blueberries, graphite and a hint of vanillin. With extravagant fruit and high extract as well as a hint of minerality, this structured, massively intense effort is typical of all the luxurious, perfect or nearly perfect Pavies produced under the Perse regime (which began in 1998). While built for 40-50 years of cellaring, the softness of the vintage and its flamboyant style is slightly less apparent in the 2009 Pavie than in some of the other Perse wines. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050+. "

100 Points

The Wine Advocate

"This is massively rendered, with powerful notes of dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit intertwined with ganache, maduro tobacco and tar. Yet the overall impression is both polished and driven, with a buried graphite edge and lingering spice notes that hint at the reward for extended cellaring. It’s amazing to see the results when ambition and execution are equal. Best from 2020 through 2040."

98 Points

Wine Spectator

"Licorice and dark fruit with raspberry and blueberries, mineral and flowers on the nose. Very pure. Full and very rich with a muscular and powerful structure. Like a baby still.
Barrel Sample: 96-97 Points"

97 Points

James Suckling

"Deep saturated ruby, one of the darkest wines of the vintage. Vibrant nose offers scents of blackberry, blueberry, minerals, dark chocolate, violet and garrigue. Lush, superconcentrated and voluminous, with plenty of energy to give shape to the mouthfilling dark fruit, dark chocolate, cedar and crushed rock flavors. This huge yet silky wine finishes with powerful fine-grained tannins and outstanding palate-staining persistence. I'd wait a good ten years before pulling the cork. A great vintage for Pavie, and one of the most impressive 2009s I've tasted."

96 Points

International Wine Cellar

"With its superripe, jammy fruit, this is luch and opulent. It does have fine structure as well as bitter chocolate and dark tannins. A hugely powerful wine."

95 Points

Wine Enthusiast