February 27, 2024
20-Buck Bottle: A well-blended third-label Bordeaux from a first-growth producer
A little over-budget, but so worth it
by Anita Skogland
2016 Esprit de Chateau Pavie Bordeaux, Gerard Perse, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Available at: The Wine Vault, multiple locations
Price: $27.99
On the Nose: Spice notes with plum, blackberry, and cedar
On the Palate: Mouth filling, silky smooth tannins, cinnamon, dark cherry
On the Plate: Roast chicken, pheasant, sausage cassoulet, lasagna, charcuterie
Our Take: A very expressive Bordeaux that pushes the limits on our weeknight price point, but worth every drop.
Fun Facts: 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Chateau Pavie is a first-growth producer in Saint Emilion, on the right bank of the Gironde River. The soil is clay, gravel, and sand. The leading grapes grown in this area are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the later being the smallest production. On the left back of the Gironde, you will find the famous first growth producers like Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour, and Haut Brion. The left bank is mostly gravel soil and flat, and cabernet sauvignon thrives in that area. The right bank is hilly with clay soil that merlot prefers. Chateau Pavie is a top producer whose first-growth label sells for hundreds of dollars per bottle. The Esprit is its third label, and is made with the same care and detail as all of Pavie’s products.
