About Château Pavie
Pavie takes its name from the peach trees that once grew on the slope, and the vineyard runs up from the foot of the hill to the limestone plateau above Saint-Émilion, catching sun on a south-facing amphitheatre. Merlot leads the blend with Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Gérard Perse, who made his money in supermarkets, bought the estate in 1998 and spent heavily on replanting, a new gravity-fed cellar and lower yields. The wine changed sharply under him, becoming far riper and more concentrated than the Pavie of the 1980s, and it has divided tasters ever since. In 2012 it was raised to Premier Grand Cru Classé A.
Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau and its lower slopes produce noticeably different wines. Our Saint-Émilion Wines and Bordeaux Wines pages cover the neighboring châteaux, and Merlot follows the grape further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 2003 Pavie famous?
It produced the most public disagreement in modern wine criticism. Robert Parker rated it near perfect and praised its richness, while Jancis Robinson scored it low and questioned whether it belonged in Bordeaux at all. The exchange became shorthand for the wider argument about ripeness and power in the region.
When did Pavie become Premier Grand Cru Classé A?
In the 2012 revision of the Saint-Émilion classification, alongside Château Angelus. Until then it had been Premier Grand Cru Classé B.
Who owns Château Pavie?
Gérard Perse, since 1998. He also owns Château Pavie Decesse and Château Monbousquet, which are separate estates made in the same house style.
How long does Pavie age?
Modern vintages want ten to fifteen years and hold for thirty or more. The wines are dense and oak-marked on release, and time is what pulls them into shape.