I had this for Valentine's dinner at Boston restaurant Radius. Wine list price-$125. Based on recent reviews of later vintages, wine reputation and current price for this wine, I thought it was worth a shot.
The color was light and translucent. The nose was promising with berry, vanilla and tobacco. Initial taste was complex with similar notes, however, this wine was COMPLETELY lacking on mid palate and finish. Tannins were firm, however given the complete lack of body to this wine, improvement is unlikely. 84 points. Disappointing. I should have gone for the 1999 L'ecole Cab for half the price.

Yeah....not a great buy, and especially not at that price.

The '96 usually sells for around $35 and I've seen the '97 for sale lately for $25. These are not good Pavie's in the eyes of the critics. I believe it was the '98 vintage that started the latest trend with Pavie under it's new management by Gerard Perse.

-DRAB

So much wine.....so little time!!!

Dr. DR&B you are right!

Gerard Perse has made the difference in several wineries: Monbousquet, Pavie, Pavie-Decesse, and others. The wines are much better, but Monbousquet went from a release price of $15 to $120 in only 10 years (1990 vs, 2000) and they are not making $105 better wine!

ZekeBoston,

I have been discouraged too many times for overpaying for a bottle of wine at a restaurant, then only to further find out----it had a terrible rating! Ouch, that is a double loss!

I suggest checking the wine list on-line, if possible, or have the restaurant fax you their wine list, or if you don't have the time or opportunity, stick to a wine you know!
Surprises may be nice, but they seem to favor the restaurant!