Château Pavie Premier Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion, France 3L

Château Pavie is one of the most celebrated estates in Bordeaux, holding the prestigious Premier Grand Cru Classé A designation — the highest classification in Saint-Émilion. This 3-liter double magnum format presents the estate's grand vin, a Merlot-dominant blend with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from 50 hectares of vines averaging 50 years of age on the slopes and plateau southeast of the village of Saint-Émilion.

The wine is deeply colored and often opaque, delivering aromas of blackberry, plum, dark cherry, truffle, licorice, chocolate, and crushed stone. On the palate it is rich, concentrated, and minerally, with a velvety texture and an extraordinarily long finish. Under the stewardship of the Perse family beginning in 1998, the estate underwent complete renovation and ascended to Premier Grand Cru Classé A status in the 2012 Saint-Émilion classification. The wine is aged 18–24 months in 75% new French oak barrels and produced in limited quantities of roughly 12,000 cases per year. The 3L format is ideal for long-term cellaring and special occasions, and younger vintages benefit from 3–4 hours of decanting.

Pair with classic meat dishes including veal, lamb, beef, duck, and game, as well as rich fish preparations and truffle-based dishes. Best enjoyed at 15.5°C (60°F). Recommended vintages include 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, and 2010.