The 2015 Aromes de Pavie is deep garnet in color. It comes barreling out of the glass with notions of stewed black plums, dried mulberries, and tobacco leaf, plus wafts of Indian spices and smoked meats. Full-bodied, the palate is ripe and juicy with firm, chewy tannins and fantastic tension, finishing long and decadent.

This is tight and fully knitted together at this point. It is going to need a good six to eight years to relax, making it one of the less approachable second wines in this vintage for those looking for early drinking, but it does establish itself as a strong personality with a clear Pavie signature.

This vintage of the second wine of Château Pavie is a blend of 66% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and was matured 50% in new and 50% in one-year-old French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Arômes de Pavie reveals a beguiling nose of smoked meats, fragrant earth and sautéed herbs over a core of warm red and black plums, cherry compote and blackberry pie plus a waft of dried lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals very fine and ripe yet wonderfully firm tannins plus a seamless backbone of freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long with wonderful restraint and elegance. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown