The 2018 Pavie Bordeaux Blend from France is a seductive symphony of complex flavors and aromas that reveal themselves in waves, leaving a lasting impression on the palate.

Radiating a deep garnet hue with a hint of purple, this robust wine greets the senses with an enticing bouquet of ripe plum and blackberry fruit, licorice, and aged balsamic-vinegar notes that further develop with aeration. As you delve deeper, layers of dark chocolate, camphor, rose petals, and fertile loam come forth, intertwined with hints of crushed rocks, iron ore, and an undercurrent of black pepper, tapenade, and wild sage.

On the palate, the 2018 Pavie is a full-bodied opus of opulent black and blue fruits, accentuated by exotic spice sparks, pretty floral nuances, and mineral accents. Despite its bold, tannic finish, this Bordeaux Blend maintains a surprising elegance, a testament to the balance achieved in this very warm vintage.

The structure is polished, allowing the raspberry, plum, and boysenberry compote flavors to sail through effortlessly. As the wine opens in the glass, flamboyant flashes of apple wood, anise, and violet emerge through the finish, captivating the senses. This wine's weight and intensity are akin to dry Port, yet it remains beautifully balanced.

The 2018 Pavie is indeed a powerful and stylish wine that can be enjoyed now but will reward those who can afford it a few more years in the cellar. It's a blend of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, a composition that contributes to its depth, complexity, and longevity.

Its high tannin count of 97IPT and 3.58pH, coupled with the seductive palate of crème de cassis, damp earth, tobacco, chalk, and lead pencil shavings, take this wine to an ethereal level. Described by some as the most intense wine of the vintage, the 2018 Pavie is indeed an experience not to be missed.