As part of the Wynn Signature Chinese wine awards 2025, a seminar was held focusing on Château Pavie, featuring Jane Anson and João Pires. Jane Anson shared her thoughts on Château Pavie, situated in Saint-Émilion, noting the estate’s strong connection to its terroir, which she described as key to understanding the wine. Anson highlighted the estate’s long history, with vines planted on Pavie’s slopes for nearly 2000 years, dating back to Roman times.
Anson acknowledged her initial challenges in grasping the estate’s power, emphasizing the need to taste older vintages to fully appreciate its limestone characteristics. João Pires, a sommelier managing the Asia-Pacific market for Pavie, provided additional context about the estate’s ownership. The Perse family owns Pavie, along with Monbousquet and Lunelles. Gérard Perse, who entered the wine industry after a successful career in supermarkets, purchased Monbousquet in 1993 and subsequently Pavie.
Perse has focused on creating ageworthy wines, adjusting the vineyard’s blend by reducing Merlot content from 70% to 52% by 2022, increasing the shares of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Approximately 70% of the vineyard is now farmed organically, with aspirations to reach 100%. The practices have shifted to prioritizing vineyard conditions over cellar techniques, reflecting a broader trend in Bordeaux towards organic farming and sustainable practices.
Over the past 15 years, Pavie has changed its winemaking style, moving away from heavy concentration and extensive oak aging to a more natural approach that allows the powerful terroir to shine through.
Recent Releases from Château Pavie
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Arôme de Pavie 2012 Saint-Émilion
- Composition: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Tasting notes: Rich with blackberry and black cherry flavors; well-integrated oak.
- Rating: 94/100
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Arôme de Pavie 2017 Saint-Émilion
- Composition: 65% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Tasting notes: Fresh, energetic with sweet berry fruits; chalky mineral edge.
- Rating: 95/100
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Château Pavie 2022 Saint-Émilion
- Tasting notes: Impressive concentration with bold structure and vivid dark fruit; young yet promising.
- Rating: 97/100
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Château Pavie 2012 Saint-Émilion
- Tasting notes: Spicy oak and fresh fruit; balanced and powerful.
- Rating: 95/100
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Château Pavie 2010 Saint-Émilion
- Tasting notes: Dense with structural oak; vibrant blackcurrant notes.
- Rating: 97/100
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Château Pavie 2000 Saint-Émilion
- Tasting notes: Mature, with herbal and earthy notes; very drinkable now.
- Rating: 95/100
Through these seminars and the evolving practices at Château Pavie, the estate’s commitment to its unique terroir and historical roots becomes clear, marking it as a significant player in the Bordeaux landscape.