“Perse made eye-opening wines at Pavie right away, with the '98 vintage creating immediate buzz among Bordeaux insiders” - Wine Spectator
The vineyard land of Château Pavie has been a cherished site for grape-growing on the Right Bank of Bordeaux since the 4th Century. The estate in its modern form began to take shape in the late 19th Century, passing through various owners over the years. However, it was the acquisition by self-made Parisian millionaire Gérard Perse in 1998 that marked the beginning of Pavie's most notable period, ushering in a new era of innovation and quality for this historic estate.
Gérard Perse's Midas Touch: Pavie's Transformation
Perse, who built a successful grocery empire from a single fruit-and-vegetable stall, discovered his passion for wine while curating bottles for his supermarkets. His foray into the world of wine began with the acquisition of Château Monbousquet, where he worked with renowned consultant Michel Rolland to develop methods that would best showcase the estate's potential. Emboldened by this experience and his purchase of Pavie-Decesse the previous year, Perse took a leap of faith in 1998 and sold his supermarket brands to purchase the 37-hectare Château Pavie estate, which was in dire need of revitalization.
Under Perse’s leadership, Pavie has undergone extensive renovations and adopted modern winemaking techniques to ensure the finest expression of its terroir. The state-of-the-art facilities now include optical sorting and gravity-fed tanks, in addition to a regular replenishment of new oak barriques for aging–carefully considered choices that contribute to the bold and expressive character that has come to define Pavie's style.
Château Pavie Wine Style & Blend
With average vine age exceeding 50 years, the vines naturally produce concentrated fruit, which is further enhanced by meticulous vineyard management. The limestone-rich slopes of Pavie are primarily planted with Merlot, complemented by its traditional blending-partner, Cabernet Franc, and a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety rarely seen on the Right Bank. The resulting blends are deeply complex and full of character, offering a more exuberant experience compared to some of the more restrained styles found elsewhere in Bordeaux.
Pavie Wine's 100-Point Parade: A Testament to Excellence
Pavie's opulence and generosity have attracted significant praise from wine critics, notably the enthusiastic acclaim of Robert Parker, who has awarded the château numerous high scores since Perse took the helm. Recent vintages have further solidified Pavie's reputation for excellence, with the 2015 vintage earning double 100-point scores and the 2020 vintage receiving triple 100-point scores. These achievements underscore the estate's consistent ability to craft wines of the highest caliber, cementing its position as a leading example of Saint-Émilion’s potential.
In the year 2012, a monumental event unfolded in the prestigious wine region of St-Emilion: Chateau Pavie was elevated to the esteemed status of: Premier Grand Cru Classé A, an extraordinary achievement after holding the title of Premier Grand Cru Classe B since 1954. This well-deserved recognition bore testament to the relentless dedication and hard work of its visionary owner, Gerard Perse, who transformed Pavie into one of Bordeaux's most magnificent terroirs. Perse's journey with Chateau Pavie began in 1998, and since then, he has spared no expense in restoring this historically significant property, earning it the revered title of "first growth" on Bordeaux's Right Bank. The journey of Chateau Pavie under Perse's guidance has been nothing short of awe-inspiring, with sixteen 100-point scores achieved, and the wine continuously evolving into a liquid masterpiece. As a result, Pavie has gained universal recognition as one of the world's most exceptional wine producers.
Château Pavie Saint-Émilion Vineyard
Today, Chateau Pavie's vineyard sprawls across more than 110 acres, with a majority gracing St-Emilion's prestigious limestone plateau. When Perse initially took over, the vineyard was in a state of disrepair, with 32,000 vines missing, representing approximately 15 percent of the entire vineyard that required replanting. During the replanting process, Perse implemented strategic shifts in certain rows to optimize airflow and sun exposure. In total, almost forty percent of Pavie's vineyards have been replanted since Perse's ownership.
Chateau Pavie boasts the most extensive vineyard among Premier Grand Cru Classe A estates. This vast expanse comprises one large, continuous block divided into 21 different parcels, each possessing its own micro-climate and distinct soil variations. The vineyard's elevation varies significantly, ranging from 360 feet at its peak, sloping down to 65 feet at its base, providing natural drainage that profoundly benefits the vines. The average vine age stands at 50 years, with 70% of the vineyard farmed organically and an ultimate aim to achieve a 100% organically farmed vineyard.
Driving Pavie's Triumphs
A key factor in Chateau Pavie's success has been the steadfast continuity of its winemaking team. For over two decades, the trio of technical director Laurent Lusseau, maître de chai Jean-Baptiste Pion, and consulting winemaker Michel Rolland have been working hand in hand, propelling Chateau Pavie to the elite echelons of Bordeaux's esteemed estates.
Under Perse's visionary direction, Chateau Pavie has elevated its standards from being one of the top estates on Bordeaux's right bank to reaching the pinnacle of its potential. Both figuratively and literally, Perse has transformed this estate, optimizing every aspect to produce world-class wine. With the unwavering support of a steadfast winemaking team and the expert guidance of Michel Rolland, Chateau Pavie has reached remarkable heights, as evidenced by three consecutive 100-point wines from 2018 to 2020.
Today, Chateau Pavie stands as one of the world's most exceptional wine producers, deserving a revered place in the cellars of collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. Whether you are a seasoned collector or an aspiring connoisseur, adding Chateau Pavie to your wine venture is a decision worthy of acclaim. With its rich history, dedication to excellence, and visionary leadership of Gerard Perse, Chateau Pavie continues to shine as a beacon of greatness in the realm of fine wines.
Notes from Robert Parker
Pavie is widely acclaimed as one of Bordeaux’s greatest terroirs, of largely limestone and clay soils. Brilliantly situated with a sunny, southern exposure and exceptional drainage, Pavie potentially rivals nearby Ausone, the oldest and possibly the most famous estate in Bordeaux. Pavie’s other nearby neighbors include, Pavie-Macquin and Troplong-Mondot to the north, Larcis-Ducasse to the southeast and La Gaffelière and Saint-Georges Côte Pavie to the west. Until 1978, previous owners rarely produced great wine, but of course that all changed with the acquisition of the 92-acre, single vineyard by Chantal and Gérard Perse. In short, they dramatically raised the quality. A perfectionist, owner Gérard Perse is flexible with the percentage of new oak, as well as how long the wine is aged in cask. The resulting wine has been considered one of the superstars of Bordeaux since 1978.
