CHATEAU PAVIE, Les Aromes de Pavie(second wine by Pavie), St-Emilion A Merlot-dominant blend featuring Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this Saint-Emilion Grand Cru is among Bordeaux’s best second wines. Introduced in 2005 by Pavie’s winemaker, Gérard Perse, Les Aromes de Pavie inherits four hectares of vineyard from the château’s grand vin. Made with the same care and aged on 50% new French oak, Les Aromes comes with all the elegance of the flagship: a rich, full-bodied drop. It’ll easily age well over 20 years, but give it 5 in the bottle at the very least.

Château la Mission Haut-Brion is on uniquely stony soil in the Pessac-Léognan appellation close to the city of Bordeaux. It is a Cru Classé in the Graves Classification of 1953. The 22.5 hectare red wine vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Merlot (44%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). The chateau wine is vinified in large (180hl) temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats and aged in 100% new French oak for an average of 22 months. Annual production is 6000-7000 dozen. The famous white wine of the chateau comes from 3.5 ha planted to Semillon (62%) and Sauvignon Blanc (38%). Overall planting density is 10,000 vines per hectare (red) and 8000 vines per hectare (white). Since 1983, under the ownership of Domaine Clarence Dillon (which also owns the neighbouring Chateau Haut Brion), the entire estate has been renovated vineyards, winemaking facilities and the chateau itself. The property got its name in the 1600s when it was owned by the Catholic Church.