Château Pavie 1er grand cru classé (A), St-Émilion

Pavie's rise to A-status under Gérard Perse was one of Bordeaux's most contested stories — celebrated by Parker, attacked by traditionalists — but the wine's extraordinary terroir on the St-Émilion côtes is beyond debate. The south-facing limestone and clay slopes produce a wine of remarkable concentration and complexity in great vintages. Whatever one's view of the stylistic choices, Pavie's position at the summit of St-Émilion's classification is now firmly established. A wine of genuine importance.