2018 Château Pavie Premier Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion

Château Pavie ranks among the very best in Saint-Émilion. The estate is known for its powerful and structured wines, crafted from an extensive vineyard with diverse terroirs. Since Gérard Perse took ownership, Pavie has grown into a modern, ambitious estate with a strong focus on quality and precision.

About Château Pavie

Château Pavie is one of the most iconic wine estates in Saint-Émilion, located on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. The vineyard covers an impressive 42 hectares, making it one of the largest contiguous estates in the appellation. Despite its size, there is no uniformity. The soil is a mix of limestone, clay, and sand, spread across various slopes and elevations. Each parcel has its own microclimate, contributing to the depth, complexity, and layered character of the wines.

Château Pavie is known for being one of the last estates to harvest in Saint-Émilion. This gives the grapes the maximum time to ripen and reach their full potential. Today, 70% of the vineyard is organically farmed, with the goal of eventually converting the entire estate. This fits with the estate's meticulous and future-focused philosophy.

Gérard Perse: the success behind Château Pavie

Gérard Perse is the man behind Château Pavie’s success—a man with a remarkable story. Originally the son of a painter in Paris, he built his fortune with supermarket chains before turning his full attention to wine in the 1990s. In 1998, after acquiring other estates in the region, he purchased Château Pavie.

Perse did not shy away from innovation. He was initially criticized for his unconventional methods—such as green harvesting, removing unripe grape clusters to improve quality—which traditional Saint-Émilion producers viewed as wasteful. But his methods paid off. Today, many winemakers follow his lead, and Château Pavie is firmly established among Bordeaux’s elite.

One name, many faces: Pavie, Macquin, and Decesse

Did you know that the name “Pavie” refers to peach trees (*pavies*) that once grew on the hills of Saint-Émilion? The name appears in several estates, such as Château Pavie Macquin and Château Pavie Decesse. Although these are separate properties, they share a historical connection.

Unique facts about Château Pavie

• Innovative cellar design: Gérard Perse constructed a cutting-edge winery that uses gravity instead of pumps, keeping grapes and must in optimal condition.
  Monolithic label: The Château Pavie label features an idealized Roman-style image of the estate—a deliberate choice by Perse to present it as a symbol of greatness.
• Top classification since 2012: In the 2012 Saint-Émilion classification, Château Pavie was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, alongside Angélus. A recognition of decades of quality and vision.
• Micromapping in the vineyard: Each plot is individually analyzed for ripeness, sugar, and acidity levels, resulting in a blend crafted with ultimate precision.
  Global acclaim:

The wines of Château Pavie are known for their power, concentration, and impressive structure. They offer outstanding aging potential and evolve beautifully over time. Critics agree: Château Pavie ranks among the world’s finest wines. Not only Robert Parker, but also many other international reviewers consistently award scores of 95 points and higher.

Buy Château Pavie at Grandcruwijnen

At Grandcruwijnen, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of Château Pavie and other top Saint-Émilion wines. All our bottles are stored under ideal conditions in a professionally climate-controlled warehouse, ensuring optimal quality.

Order Château Pavie easily online or pick up your wine at our collection point in Dordrecht. Our sommeliers are happy to advise you on cellaring potential, serving temperature, and food pairings.