Tasting notes
Jeb Dunnuck · Jeb Dunnuck · 98+
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 MW · Wine Advocate · 96
Deep garnet in color, the 2012 Pavie prances out of the glass with showy notes of kirsch, black raspberries, and juicy black plums plus touches of lavender, pencil lead, and rose oil. The medium to full-bodied palate is lively and refreshing, with soft, satiny tannins and bags of bright red and black fruits, finishing with a lingering floral lift. This was the first vintage as a 1er GCC A, with a special black and silver label, and the first vintage with 25% Cabernet Franc.
Antonio Galloni · Vinous · 95
The 2012 Pavie has been impressive on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. Exotic scents of graphite, smoke, new leather and dark fruit open up first. Deep, intense and rich, especially within the context of the year, the 2012 finds greater finesse and nuance with time in bottle. Pavie is a rare 2012 that is going to require time in bottle, as the tannins are imposing at this early stage. I imagine the 2012 will be divine in another few years. Even today, it is exceptionally well-balanced and harmonious in the modern-day flamboyant Pavie style. The 2012 is 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon that spend 28 months in barrel.
Robert Parker · Wine Advocate · 95
The 2012 Pavie celebrates its reclassification and upgrade to Class A St.-Emilion by sporting a new black label with gold print. Fortunately, every Pavie has benefitted since Perse began a complete makeover of this estate in 1998. From 47-year-old vines, the 2012 has an inky purple color, judicious toasty oak in the nose interwoven with copious blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, Christmas spices, as well as licorice and graphite. Full-bodied, rich and moderately tannic, it will require 5-7 years of bottle age but should drink well for 20-30 years. Kudos to Chantal and Gerard Perse for their extraordinary commitment to quality, which is so evident in this more challenging vintage than some of the great years like 2009 and 2010. Very low yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare were obtained from this 92-acre estate.
James Suckling · James Suckling · 94
Open nose of bramble jelly with a glaze of toasty aromas. Both quite rich and well-structured with plenty of fine tannin and pronounced earthiness on the generous palate. Very focused, long finish with energy, suggesting that this has many years ahead of it. An excellent 2012! Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting. SP.
Jane Anson · Decanter · 94
The aromatics hit immediately with sandalwood, cedar and gunsmoke, along with sweet baking spices, cocoa and coffee bean, muscular and full of estate signature. An important vintage, as this was the year that Pavie was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, and certainly it makes an impression, with a layered mix of opulent black fruits and tight oyster shell and sea spray salinity. 80% new oak for ageing, 28hl/h yield. Gerard Perse owner, Michel Rolland consultant, Jean-Baptiste Pion winemaker.
Neal Martin · Vinous · 94
The 2012 Pavie has a lovely bouquet, one of the best on the Right Bank, with gorgeous brambly red fruit, fig and black truffle, developing a Left Bank like personality with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a vibrant entry, nicely poise and focused, touches of pencil lead threaded through the red fruit with a nicely structured finish. Very seductive. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
