2021 Château Pavie Premier Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion Magnum

Winery Château Pavie

Château Pavie is among the very best in Saint-Émilion and holds Premier Grand Cru Classé status. Situated on the southeastern slopes of the appellation, the estate is known for its steep vineyards and chalky soils. Under the leadership of the Perse family, the focus was on precision in the vineyard, stricter selection, and a clear recalibration of style, with greater freshness and definition. Pavie combines power and concentration with an increasingly refined balance.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Saint-Émilion and the 2021 vintage

Saint-Émilion is known for wines with depth, texture, and aromatic complexity. The chalky soils surrounding Pavie create tension and a mineral undertone that is clearly evident in the château's wines.

The 2021 vintage experienced a cool and demanding growing season. For producers who worked meticulously in the vineyards, this resulted in wines with moderate alcohol, fresh acidity, and a more linear style. For Pavie, this resulted in a wine that is slightly less massive than in warmer years, yet excels in energy and precision.

Vineyards and terroir of Château Pavie

Château Pavie's vineyards are situated on steep slopes with a high limestone content, which contributes to tension and a pronounced minerality. This exposure ensures optimal ripening, while the soil structure retains water during drier periods.

Yields are deliberately kept low, and each plot is harvested and vinified separately. This approach ensures a precise translation of terroir and vintage into the final blend.

Grape varieties and composition

The 2021 Château Pavie is blended with 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. In recent years, the proportion of Cabernet has increased, which clearly influences the wine's style and structure.

Merlot provides texture and ripe fruit, Cabernet Franc brings freshness and floral tension, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure, grip, and length. Together, they create a blend with power and energy.

Harvest and vinification

Harvest took place under relatively cool conditions, which contributed to preserving freshness and aromatic precision. After rigorous selection, the grapes were processed plot by plot.

Fermentation was carefully managed to achieve balanced extraction. Maturation took place in oak, with the goal of integration and refinement, allowing the structure and terroir character to emerge clearly.

Magnum size and maturation advantage

This wine is offered in a magnum format. Due to the larger bottle size, the wine develops more slowly and evenly than in a standard bottle. This enhances the aromatic complexity, refines the tannin structure, and significantly extends the drinking window. The magnum format is also particularly well-suited for extended cellar aging and special occasions.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine reveals a deep ruby red color. The nose is complex and layered, with aromas of red currant, black cherry, and plum, complemented by floral notes, spices, and a distinct mineral note of chalk and flint.

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a dense yet energetic structure. The palate combines ripe fruit with salty and chalky notes. The tannins are firm yet refined, giving the wine grip and length. The finish is long, taut, and mineral, with a distinct tension.

Structure, style and storage potential

The 2021 Château Pavie is a wine that needs time. Its style is linear and focused, with a clear backbone of acidity and tannins. While the wine already shows its class, it will gain depth and harmony with bottle aging.

In magnum format, the aging potential is impressive. This wine can easily mature for decades, gradually increasing in complexity and finesse.

Summary of professional reviews

James Suckling awards the wine 97 points, praising its complexity, mineral tension, and long, energetic finish. Antonio Galloni rates the wine 96 points, emphasizing its linear style, freshness, and excellent aging potential, with the increased Cabernet composition clearly defining its character. The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

Would you like to order Château Pavie wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

Rack of lamb with rosemary and a concentrated jus complements the structure and minerality.

Beef fillet with black pepper and mushrooms goes well with the firm tannins and fresh acidity.

Duck breast with a slightly spicy sauce combines beautifully with the ripe fruit and the tension.

Slow-cooked veal shank with thyme and garlic enhances the depth and texture of the wine.

Roasted eggplant with herbs and lentils works well with the salty and earthy notes.

Mature cheeses such as old Comté or Salers enhance the length and structure of the finish.