Château Pavie

Awards & Recognition

Premier Grand Cru Classé A (Saint‑Émilion) since 2012
Regular 100-point scores in top vintages; Parker anticipates maturity from 2020 to 2050+
Renowned for power, opulence, and terroir statement; both celebrated and debated among critics

About Château Pavie

Château Pavie, perched on Saint‑Émilion’s sun-soaked southern slope, is a Premier Grand Cru Classé A estate celebrated for its bold, luxurious Merlot-dominant wines and expressive terroir-driven character. Spanning approximately 37 ha, Pavie’s vineyards rest on a mosaic of limestone plateau, mid-slope clay-limestone, and gravelly bottom lands—each offering distinct microclimates and soil profiles.

Acclaimed for full-bodied wines with ripe fruit, texture, and impressive aging potential, production is led by owner Gérard Perse since his 1998 acquisition, with guidance from consultant Michel Rolland. Today, Pavie produces just one grand vin and a select second wine, embodying a philosophy of painstaking quality and concentrated expression.

History

Roman Roots & Early Prestige (4th Century–1850)

Viticulture on Pavie dates back to Roman times, and by the mid-19th century famed works like Cocks & Féret listed it as a leading growth in Saint‑Émilion

Bouffard Consolidation (Late 19th Century)

In the late 1800s Ferdinand Bouffard consolidated diverse parcels into a unified Château Pavie estate, laying groundwork for future development

Valette Ownership & 1954 Classification (Early 20th Century–1998)

Under the Valette family, Pavie was classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé B in 1954—a rare accolade

Modern Transformation (1998–Present)

Gérard Perse acquired Pavie in 1998, dramatically rebuilding facilities, replanting vineyards, and appointing Michel Rolland. These actions ushered in a new era of concentrated, richly styled wines. The estate achieved Premier Grand Cru Classé A status in the 2012 classification

Wine Styles

Grand Vin – Château Pavie

Composed of ~60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, Pavie’s flagship demonstrates deep, ripe red and black fruit, rich texture, firm tannins, and structured oak aging. Fermentation includes ~3-week maceration followed by 18–32 months in 70–100% new French oak

Second Wine – Arômes de Pavie

Introduced post-1998, this gentler expression highlights accessible Merlot blend from younger vineyard sections, offering Pavie’s essence in a more approachable format

Wine Portfolio

Château Pavie

Saint‑Émilion’s Monumental First Growth

Blend:

~60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Awards & Recognition:

Scores consistently run mid‑to‑high 90s

iconic 100-pointer vintages; noted aging through 2050s

Arômes de Pavie

Refined Expression from Young Vines

Blend:

Merlot-led Bordeaux blend

Awards & Recognition:

Earns strong press as an accessible yet serious second wine

Did You Know?

Pavie derives from ancient peach orchards (“pavie”) once planted on the slopes—even before Roman vines
The estate’s radical transformation under Perse included rebuilding the château and cellars—some consider it controversial for its “glitzy” modernization
Pavie employs a high percentage of new oak (up to 100%) with long aging—unusual for Right Bank Bordeaux
It was one of the first estates to integrate vineyard plots from former Château La Clusière and La Pavie-Decesse
The vineyard incorporates geological diversity across three terroir zones, lending complexity and depth unique to Pavie

Saint‑Émilion’s Pinnacle of Power and Precision

Quick Facts

Specialty Grapes

Red Varieties

White Varieties

Awards & Recognition

About Château Pavie

History

Roman Roots & Early Prestige (4th Century–1850)

Bouffard Consolidation (Late 19th Century)