The wine world is abuzz with the recent release of Château Pavie 2023, now available at GBP 2,784 per 12×75 case.
This latest offering from the iconic Bordeaux estate has already garnered significant attention and high praise from esteemed critics, making it a standout in this year's Bordeaux En Primeur campaign.
Critical Acclaim
Château Pavie 2023 has impressed numerous wine experts with its quality and potential. Neal Martin of Vinous rated it between 95-97 points, calling it "an excellent Pavie in the making." Jane Anson awarded it a stellar 96 points, describing it as "intense, concentrated and skillfully constructed."
James Lawther MW of Jancis Robinson praised the wine’s elegance, scoring it 17.5/20 points and noting its restrained power. Antonio Galloni, also of Vinous, echoed this sentiment, giving it a score of 95-97+ points and describing the wine as "fabulous, rich, dense and explosive in the glass."
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW of The Wine Independent was perhaps the most enthusiastic, suggesting a potential perfect score of 98-100 points. She described the wine’s bouquet as “breathtaking,” with notes of blueberry pie, cassis, preserved plums, violets, star anise, cedar chest, and iron ore.
Pricing and Market Position
Released at EUR 234 per bottle ex-négociant, the 2023 vintage is priced 22% lower than the 2022 release, which stood at EUR 300 per bottle. On the international market, the new release is offered at GBP 2,784 (EUR 3,267) per 12×75 case, a 22.1% reduction from the 2022 opening price of GBP 3,576 (EUR 4,197). Despite this decrease, Château Pavie 2023 remains one of the most expensive vintages of the past decade currently available.
Value Considerations
For buyers seeking value, older vintages of Château Pavie present compelling options. Both the 2018 and 2020 vintages, which have received high scores, are available at significant discounts compared to the 2023 release.
- Château Pavie 2018: This vintage, awarded 96 points by multiple critics, offers excellent value and quality.
- Château Pavie 2020: With a perfect 100-point score from Lisa Perrotti-Brown, this vintage is priced at GBP 2,200 (EUR 2,582), a 21% discount relative to the 2023 release.
Additionally, the 2016 vintage, another strong performer with a 96-point score from Neal Martin, is worth considering. This wine benefits from additional bottle age and is available at a lower price point compared to the 2023 vintage.
Conclusion
The 2023 release of Château Pavie exemplifies the estate's continued commitment to excellence, receiving outstanding reviews from top wine critics. While it is offered at a lower price than the previous year, it remains a premium option within the market. For those seeking high-quality Bordeaux without the premium price tag of the latest release, the 2018, 2020, and 2016 vintages provide attractive alternatives.
Source: Liv-ex