As Château Pavie’s second wine, Arômes de Pavie 2025 benefits this year from a particularly noble terroir. Hailing from a dedicated plot situated on the famous limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, nearly 85 meters above the Dordogne River, it faithfully expresses the freshness and tension characteristic of this exceptional terroir. The very low yields of the vintage, limited to just 18 hl/ha, yielded grapes of remarkable concentration while preserving the elegance that characterizes this wine. The blend, composed of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, is one of the vintage’s most striking features. This unusual blend achieves a remarkable balance between the rich, full-bodied character of Merlot and the aromatic finesse of Cabernet Franc. The late harvest, carried out from September 19 to 24, yielded perfectly ripe grapes with a beautiful natural freshness despite the year’s sunny conditions.
The nose is particularly expressive and refined. Aromas of black cherry, wild blackberry, and fresh plum are accompanied by floral notes of violet and iris. Upon aeration, more complex nuances of graphite, licorice, sweet spices, and cocoa emerge, supported by a very elegant limestone minerality that reflects the wine’s terroir. The palate captivates with its balance between fullness and tension. The attack is generous, driven by ripe, vibrant fruit, while the mid-palate gradually gains depth. The Cabernet Franc brings remarkable energy, aromatic freshness, and precise definition that admirably structure the wine. The tannins are fine, silky, and perfectly ripe, giving the wine a sensation of volume without any heaviness.
As the tasting progresses, the limestone terroir gradually comes to the fore. A subtle yet persistent mineral backbone accompanies the flavors of black fruit and spices through to a long, clean, and particularly briny finish. This final tension lends the wine great distinction and freshness.
Arômes de Pavie 2025 thus emerges as one of the appellation’s most ambitious second wines. Concentrated, racy, and remarkably balanced, it far surpasses the usual standards of a second wine. Its blend of generous fruit, the nobility of Cabernet Franc, and the energy of the limestone plateau gives it a distinct personality as well as aging potential superior to what is generally expected of the category. A wine of great class, faithful to the spirit of Pavie, but with a more accessible and immediate expression.
Harvested September 19–24.
