Winemaker Notes
This wine, an assemblage from young vines, displays a very attractive purple color that is deep, clear and characteristically youthful in appearance. Notes of fresh blackberry define an aromatic profile which is clean, fresh and lively, supporting a fine, delicate oak character that subtly respects the wine's fruit. In the mouth a firm, gripping texture shows off well-incorporated, finely-grained tannins to impart an attractive balance. This wine is fresh, with a long and delicious finish. With time to breathe, its crisp, black-fruit identity and aged character shows this to be a well-crafted wine. The vintage is one which offers immediate pleasure. Drink now, but there's no danger in letting it rest in the cellar for another 2 to 5 years.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A juicy and rich red with blackberry and black-truffle aromas and flavors. Layered and beautifully toned. Full-bodied, round and juicy. Beautiful wine. Really well done. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This vintage is a blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged for 15 months in one-year-old barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Esprit de Pavie (a blend of vines in Côtes do Castillon and young vines from Pavie and Monbousquet) opens with expressive red and black plums notes plus touches of baking spices, vanilla pod, dark chocolate and dried Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the bright fruit fills the mouth with plenty of spicy red and black fruits, supported by chewy tannins and finishing with a refreshing lift.
In most of France, wines are named by their place of origin and not by the type of grape (with the exception of Alsace). Just like a red Burgundy is by law, always made of Pinot noir, a red Bordeaux is a blended wine composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Depending on the laws of the village from which the grapes come, the conditions of the vintage and decisions of the winemaker, the blend can be further supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and in rare cases, Carmenere. So popular and repeated has this mix of grape varieties become worldwide, that the term, Bordeaux Blend, refers to a wine blended in this style, regardless of origin.