Winemaker Notes
Esprit de Pavie 2016 is an assemblage of 100% estate-owned fruit from Château Pavie and Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux. The wine displays a very attractive purple color that is deep and youthful in appearance. Notes of fresh blackberry define the aromatic profile which is clean, fresh and lively, supporting a fine, delicate oak character that subtly respects the wine's fruit. A firm, gripping texture shows off well-integrated, finely-grained tannins imparting an attractive balance. This wine is fresh, with a long and delicious finish. The vintage is one which offers immediate pleasure. Drink now, but there's no danger in letting it rest in the cellar for another decade.
Blend: 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Extremely aromatic with kir, cherries and flowers. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins. Juicy fruit. So round and inviting now. Drink and enjoy.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The entry-level wine of the estate is the 2016 Esprit de Pavie, which is primarily Merlot blended with 30% Cabernet Franc, coming from Saint Emilion and the Castillon region. This total charmer has a sweet bouquet of black cherries, licorice, and spice to go with a mouthfilling, pure, balanced style on the palate that’s already delicious. It certainly has estate character and is ideal for enjoying over the coming decade or so. I’d happily drink bottles.
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.