Merlot parcels are mostly situated on the limestone plateau where there is clay-limestone soil over "starfish limestone”. This is an optimal setting since Merlot is perfectly adapted to clay-limestone soils and the dense starfish limestone plays an important role in supplying water to the vines. During a dry summer, there is no lack of moisture; even at a height of several meters, water is fed to the vines by the thick, compact, homogeneous limestone bedrock which provides 35 to 70% of the plant's water requirements between flowering and harvest. Inversely, heavy rains are prevented from stagnating around the vines since the soil's permeability provides rapid drainage of excess water towards the limestone which absorbs it like a sponge.

Merlot is well-adapted to clay-limestone areas since it better expresses its potential on moist and cool soils. It contributes deep color, power and roundness to the wine.

This variety represents only 7% of the vines planted in the Right Bank vineyards; it is a minority grape but plays an important role at Château Pavie and contributes the indispensable structure necessary in great wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon does best on sandy-clay soils, and these are the areas where it is planted at Pavie, showing best in the foothills. Cabernet Sauvignon is a late-ripening variety making it less susceptible to frost; it only achieves full maturity on sandy-clay soils with low water retention, where aridity imparts sufficient warmth. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure and tannins to the wine.

The parcels of Cabernet Franc are mostly on light clay-limestone and sandy-clay soils. A thick layer of sand covers the molasse to provide excellent natural drainage. As with Merlot, Cabernet Franc is well adapted to clay-limestone and produces good results on sandy soil; in these conditions Cabernet ripens earlier. When brought to good maturity this grape produces rich, powerful wines of great finesse and a long finish on the palate.