Château Pavie St Emilion Grand Cru Premier Grand Cru Classé B 2000

Hard to believe that Gerard Perse had only been at Pavie for two years by this point, so thoroughly had he remade the wine. I have always said that it’s hard to fully appreciate Pavie until it has reached maturity, and time has softened the power that is intrinsic to its first decade – this is a great example of why it is worth the wait. Now 25 years old, it is still deeply coloured, but the aromatics are melted and finessed, sandalwood, campfire, tobacco leaf, incense, crayon, truffle, bitter cocoa bean, cassis fruit puree, stretched out tannins and a wave of salinity on the finish. 100% new oak, with extended ageing in barrel. Jean-Baptiste Pion winemaker, Michel Rolland consultant.