The 2012 Pavie Bordeaux Blend from Saint Emilion, France, is a wine that has garnered significant attention from critics, earning consistently high scores and praise for its depth and complexity. This red wine, produced by Pavie, is celebrated for its robust character and aging potential.
Wine Spectator awarded the 2012 Pavie a score of 95, noting that it "pulls out all the stops" with flavors of "boysenberry confiture, warm plum sauce, and blueberry reduction" intertwined with "licorice snap, roasted apple wood, and fruitcake." The review highlights the wine's impressive balance and length, suggesting it will be best enjoyed between 2018 and 2030.
James Suckling gave it a 94, praising its "open nose of bramble jelly" and "toasty aromas." He emphasized the wine's structure, fine tannins, and earthiness, predicting a long future ahead. He described it as "an excellent 2012," suitable for drinking now or holding for further aging.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also awarded the wine a 95, noting the wine's "inky purple color" and "judicious toasty oak" on the nose, along with "copious blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, Christmas spices, as well as licorice and graphite." The review highlighted the wine's full-bodied richness and moderate tannins, suggesting it will require 5-7 years of bottle age and could drink well for 20-30 years.
Vinous rated the 2012 Pavie at 94, describing it as having "a lovely bouquet" with "gorgeous brambly red fruit, fig, and black truffle." The palate is noted for its vibrancy and structure, with a "nicely poise and focused" finish. Neal Martin found it "very seductive," having tasted it twice at different events.
Jeb Dunnuck gave an outstanding 98+ score, calling it a "brilliant wine" with "incredible notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, scorched earth, graphite, leafy herbs, violets, and background oak." He highlighted its richness, full-bodied power, and impeccable balance, predicting it might reach a triple-digit rating in the future.
Jane Anson also rated it 94, mentioning its muscular nature and the character it gains with time. She noted aromas of "gunsmoke and rubber reduction" that unwind to reveal "grilled sandalwood and cloves" alongside fruit flavors like "black cherry, raspberry, and cassis."
Jeff Leve awarded it 96 points, appreciating its "silky tannins" and "pure fruits," with the richness being slightly subdued compared to other vintages, which he suggests might be a positive aspect.
Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss gave a barrel sample score of 94-96 points, noting a shift towards elegance with "delicious Merlot fruitiness" and "black-currant acidity." He praised the wine's structure and minerality.
Finally, The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown rated it 96, describing it as "deep garnet in color" with notes of "kirsch, black raspberries, and juicy black plums." She highlighted its "lively and refreshing" palate, soft tannins, and bright fruit finish.
Overall, the 2012 Pavie is a wine that impresses with its complexity, structure, and aging potential, making it a noteworthy choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
