Chateau Pavie - Aromes de Pavie 2021

Dunnuck: "Coming from the same parcels every year since 2018 (it's not a true second wine) and a blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Arômes De Pavie is terrific and has more than a touch of Pavie character in its spicy oak, darker, chocolaty fruits, and spicy aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, I love its texture, it has ripe, chalky tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's unquestionably an outstanding wine."

Galloni: "The 2021 Arômes de Pavie is gorgeous, and also quite harmonious for a young barrel sample. A burst of floral aromatics makes a strong opening impression. Crushed rose petal, red berry fruit, mint, blood orange and spice all race across the palate. The Arômes is everything a second wine should be. It's such a classy wine."

Weinwisser: "50 % Merlot, 50 % Cabernet Franc, 34.72 hl/ha, 14.44 Vol.-%. Sattes blaubeeriges Bouquet, zartes Veilchenparfüm, Lakritze und Holundergelee. Am molligen Gaumen cremige Textur, sandige Extraktfülle, fein mürbe werdend, nervige Rasse, gut strukturiert und engmaschiges Tanninkorsett. Im konzentrierten Finale Heidelbeerkuchen, Wacholder, dunkles Graphit und fein spröde Adstringenz."

Perroti-Brown: "The 2021 Aromes de Pavie is made from 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot, aging in 50% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with cedar chest and tree bark notes followed by a core of red and black currants, kirsch, and blackberry pie, plus wafts of wild sage and black truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impressive concentration, with firm, chewy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the muscular fruit, finishing long and lively. pH 3.53."

Suckling: "Firm, broad tannins here, with a plush and creamy texture. Full body. Ripe and deep core of dark-blue and black fruit with oyster-shell and iodine character, too. Attractive fruit. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc."

Falstaff: "Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Saftige Herzkirschen, süße Pflaumen, ein Hauch von Nougat, mit kandierten Orangenzesten unterlegt. Mittlere Komplexität, feine Fruchtsüße, frisch strukturiert, dezente Tannine, mineralisch, zitroniger Touch im Nachhall, Preiselbeeren im Rückgeschmack."

Neal Martin: "The 2021 Arômes de Pavie has contained new blocks since 2017 that are exclusive for this cuvée. A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, it is matured in 50% new oak. It has a clean and delineated bouquet with black cherries and blueberry fruit, not quite as ostentatious as I have found previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with a pleasant edginess on the entry, a more mineral/limestonedriven Les Arômes with a pleasant piquancy on the finish, if not quite the persistence of the appellation's top wines. 14.44% alcohol."

Decanter: "Lovely aromas on the nose - strawberry and black cherry with a softly sweet perfume. Nicely round and mouthfilling on the palate, the fruit has real presence - it’s definitely the main focus, crunchy with bite and a soft chew, rich, dark and intense yet also with tension and drive. It’s not expansive but rather driving from the start to the end in one line. It doesn't drop with power, but there is a slight rustic touch with the spice/bitterness coming through. Strong and sharp, defiant almost, characterful and determined. I think this will be very good in time. You really get the terroir expression."