Country: France

Region: Bordeaux - Saint-Emillion

Vintage: 2016

Cépage: Merlot (60%); Cabernet Franc (40%)

Size: 750 ml

Rating(s): 100 (RP); 99 (JD); 100 (JS)

" The 2016 Pavie a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Very deep purple-black in color, it needs a little coaxing to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal a fragrant perfume of violets, chocolate-covered cherries, crushed blueberries and eucalyptus over a core of preserved plums, kirsch, black raspberries and crème de cassis plus hints of licorice and chargrilled meat. Full-bodied and built like a brick house, it has a solid foundation of firm, super ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness interknit with the black fruit preserves and minerally layers, finishing very long and very decadent. Superb!"

Lisa Perrotti-Brown (RP) - 03/19