Similar in style to the blockbuster 2005, the 2009 Pavie is another magical, legendary wine from the Perse family that tops out on my scale. Made from 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 80% new French oak, its saturated purple color is followed by a massive bouquet of blackcurrants, scorched earth, chocolate, graphite, and lead pencil, with an incredible sense of minerality. Deep, full-bodied, and remarkably concentrated and intense, it still stays perfectly balanced and weightless, with building yet sweet tannins. It’s still a baby yet is a magical drink today given its opulence, purity and balance. Drink this magical wine any time over the coming 50-60 years.

Deep garnet in color, the 2009 Pavie drifts effortlessly and profoundly from the glass with baked plums, spice cake, sandalwood, Black Forest cake and blueberry pie scents followed up with a fragrant undercurrent of potpourri, unsmoked cigars and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, rich and plush, this is pure seduction in the mouth, offering a taut yet velvety texture and oodles of freshness to frame the opulent fruit, finishing very long and mineral laced. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet with a touch of purple, the 2009 Pavie is quite closed to begin, needing a lot of shaking to bring out a powerful notes of blueberry pie, Black Forest cake, and cinnamon toast leading to a fragrant undercurrent of rose oil, licorice, and clove oil. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, with a firm frame of velvety tannins and fantastic tension framing the generous fruit, finishing with epic length and depth. It needs 5-7 years at least. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Merlot 70% Cabernet Franc 20% Cabernet Sauvignon 10%. The nose here is quite reserved but still has an attractive pure expression of bright fruit along with some sandalwood and cocoa powder. The palate is balanced in components on an elegant framework. The fruit here is centered and compact as opposed to some riper viscous examples. The tannins here are substantial again and are finely grained. Tasted three times.

Rich purple in colour, you really get the ink, liquorice and bitter dark chocolate notes here, all taken up a level and extremely well handled, with a super-attractive savoury lick that comes from the limestone soils. Pavie needs 10 years at an absolute minimum (except in 2003) to begin its conversation, and here we are starting to see what it can do. It's a very good wine that's powerful, concentrated, intense and ripe, but it has restraint and lift on the finish. It's not over-reaching, but rather very clearly marking its territory. It still needs longer to get there, but it's hard to argue with the construction of this wine, and to be totally honest I'm more impressed than I expected. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-pavie-st-emilion-1er-grand-cru-classe-b-2009-27739#GT51PovzWquo6tIz.99

This is so structured and powerful with amazing depth of fruit and tannins. Blueberry and cherry aromas come through clear. The palate is full and powerful with chewy yet polished tannins and a long, long finish. Really impressive. Needs decanting, if you want to drink it now. One for the cellar.

Still quite young, the wine is almost inky in color. The initial sniff brings on a strong aromatics of ripe, dark red, black and blue fruits, espresso beans, smoke, licorice, oyster shell and crushed rock. Powerful, dense and mouth-coating, the wine takes up a lot of room on your palate, coating your mouth with layers of fruit, tannin, oak and stones. Give this a decade to round out, soften and develop, and it could really offer a sublime tasting experience. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2009+Pavie

Very showy, with loads of warm fig, boysenberry and raspberry confiture flavors coming in waves, showing maybe a hint of torrefaction along with melted licorice, warm ganache and fruitcake notes. There's a loamy hint through the finish, and a touch of graphite helps give this the spine it needs. Hard to deny the fruit here, though I lean toward the '10 for its cut and drive.--Non-blind Pavie vertical (March 2017). Best from 2020 through 2045. 7,080 cases made. –JM

The 2009 Pavie has a gorgeous bouquet, very pure and refined with seamlessly integrated oak and wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, perfectly judged acidity. Fine grip with compelling tension on the finish. This shimmers with energy. Easily, this is the best bottle that I have encountered over the years. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. -- Neal Martin