A mixture of dried herbs, blackcurrant leaf, blueberry, violets, vanilla and salty stones on the nose. Intense and complex, it’s upfront and mouth-filling with chewy, fleshy tannins but lifted by vibrant acidity. Controlled power, pure fruit focus, and a joyful, crunchy texture. Salty spice, liquorice, black chocolate, and clove add depth to the finish. A charming, structured wine, full of promise.

Steel and spliced black fruits on the opening, juicy, powerful and intense with blueberry and damson, cedar and sandalwood, a slab of dark chocolate, and an edge of oyster shell salinity. Tension, power, beauty. No Pavie Decesse, no Bellevue Mondotte as of this vintage, both are now entirely included in Pavie, and both exceptional additions. 25 years of Perse ownership. 75% new oak.

Released in a special bottle to celebrate the 25th harvest of Gerard Perse, the 2022 Château Pavie checks in as 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is in line with recent vintages, although one important factor is that both Pavie Decesse and Bellevue Mondot will no longer be produced and will are now incorporated into the Château Pavie. Given the quality of those two releases, I don't see that affecting the quality of the Grand Vin. The 2022 sports a deep, saturated purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of ripe cassis, blackcurrants, espresso roast, violets, and chalky minerality. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, it has a layered, opulent mouthfeel, velvety tannins, integrated oak, and a great finish. This is another heavenly Pavie that's going to shine with just 5-7 years of bottle age and evolve for 30-40 years or more.

Intense aromas of cherries and spices. Full and layered without being heavy. It starts large and rich, but the tension and tannins tighten down. It's structured and powerful. Velvety, edgy tannins. Very salty at the end. Like an unpolished diamond. It now includes Pavie Decesse and Bellevue. Slightly overdone but wait and see. 52% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 18% cabernet sauvignon.

Wonderfully intense and concentrated, this is an impressive Pavie, muscular, intense and well constructed. It has an exuberance to the aromatics that is striking, with incense, baked damson, milk chocolate and creamy black cherry fruits, almost overwhelming until the limestone fingerprints hit in the mid palate to add tentson and salinity, even a hint of savoury freshness. Powerful, will take the full ten years to come around. 75% new oak. Buno Lacoste consultant. First year with the inclusion of Pavie Decesse and Bellevue-Mondotte, bringing it to 42ha, which is the biggest fully classified footprint, with 30ha on the plateau. Harvest 19 to October 1. 10th anniversary of classification and 25th harvest of Gerard Perse.

The 2022 Pavie is a unique wine that celebrates a number of milestones for the château. It marks the 20th anniversary of Pavie under the helm of Gerard and Chantal Perse, who have taken this once sleepy property to brilliant highs. Two thousand twenty-two is also the first vintage for Pavie since the incorporation of the Pavie Decesse and Bellevue Mondotte properties. From my perspective, it is always sad to see the loss of historical estates, even if they are relatively small because it is a loss of culture. In terms of the wine, it is superb. Black fruit, mocha, chocolate, licorice and spice add to an impression of virile intensity. Many recent vintages of Pavie have hinted towards a more vibrant style, but the 2022 is very strongly marked by the heat and drought of the year, the yields that are lower than typical and the harvest that started late in relative terms. In my view, the 2022 is a bit pushed, at least today. Huge tannins and a strong torrefaction oak imprint need time to soften, and that may or may not happen with élevage.

The 2022 Pavie was picked from 19 September to 1 October at 31hL/ha and matured in 75% new oak. The estate now comprises 42 hectares as it has absorbed Pavie-Decesse and Bellevue-Mondotte, ergo, these names are no more. This demonstrates a little over-ripeness on the nose: macerated black cherries, kirsch, cassis and a touch of fresh prune. Does that translate across onto the palate? Actually, no. It is undoubtedly decadent and rich, but it retains balance and delivers a very velvety texture, with mouth-filling tannins. Powerful and yet undeniably harmonious, it feels plush and luxuriant on the finish, with a touch of dark chocolate lingering on the aftertaste. I am intrigued to revisit this after bottling and, because of the aromatics and not the palate, I err on the side of caution, though repouring, it feels slightly fresher. 14.47% alcohol. NB It comes in a specially-designed engraved bottle without a label.

52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Includes parcels from Chx Bellevue Mondotte and Pavie Decesse integrated in the 2022 classification. Cask sample. Deep purple-black colour to the rim. Lovely depth of fruit – raspberry coulis with a stony freshness. Sapid and savoury on the palate, the tannins muscular but the texture smooth and fine. Tight and firm on the finish, a saline note highlighting the terroir. Powerful but controlled. Built for the ages. (JL)

Black label to commemorate ten years of being a Premier Grand Cru Classé 'A', and 25 vintages under Gerard Perse. This vintage is the first which includes fruit formerly used for Pavie Decesse and Bellevue Mondotte. 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 18 months in French oak (75% new). Thick, rich blackcurrant fruit on the nose. High but very fine tannins, as well as high acidic tension. Compact and dense. Despite the powdery tannin, there is a sense of silkiness here, and the core fruit has a clear ageing mandate. Strong tarry aftertaste. (RH)