Pavie Decesse 2019 (750ML)

92+ Points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate: "From a small vineyard located on the limestone slopes above Pavie itself, the Perse family's 2019 Pavie Decesse exhibits aromas of ripe cherries, crème de cassis and fruit liqueurs mingled with notions of menthol, vanilla pod and cloves. Full-bodied, rich and extracted, it's thick and muscular, with lively acids and prodigious reserves of chewy tannin that assert themselves on the finish. While it is a touch toned down by comparison with the wines produced here a decade ago, it remains one of the inkiest, most extracted wines in Saint-Émilion. I tend to think that an even gentler vinification would bear dividends without sacrificing the concentration and intensity of flavor that can be taken for granted with a terroir of such quality and viticulture of such exigence." 04/22

96-98 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2019 Pavie-Decesse is off the charts brilliant. Blueberry jam, graphite, menthol, licorice, espresso, lavender and cloves are some of the many nuances that unfold in a statuesque Saint-Émilion of dizzying scale. Big, brawny and powerful, the 2019 is going to require years in bottle to blossom, but it is immensely promising and very clearly a great wine in the making. Yields were just 17 hectoliters per hectare. Sadly, production is down about 40% because two parcels are being redeveloped. The use of only the healthiest parcels most likely explains why Pavie-Decesse is so exceptional in 2019. Henrique Da Costa, Gérard Perse's son-in-law, explained that while 2019 was hot and dry, conditions were not extremely hot. Cool temperatures in the evenings provided respite from the daytime heat, while water reserves in the soils from the wet spring allowed the vines to avoid stress. As for the wines, they are superb across the board. Most of the attention will naturally center on Pavie, but the entire range is terrific." 6/20

A perfumed nose of cherries, blueberries, cedar, toast, cloves and walnuts. Full-bodied with a firm, beautiful frame of fine-grained tannins. Layered and elegant. Intense, powerful and spicy. Dark and intriguing, with wonderful presence in the glass. Keeps going. Only 2 hectares in production because 1.5 hectare replanted.Try from 2027.

95 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "As ever this is a true highlight of the Pavie stable, still with muscles and concentration but accompanied by the most gorgeous seam of freshness, showcasing the gorgeous limestone soils. This is what balance can look like in these bigger-framed wines and it's lovely. Will age and soften but has the grip and the uplift to carry it through. A yield of 17hl/ha." 5/20

98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "From vines located just above Château Pavie and based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Château Pavie Decesse sports a vivid purple hue as well as a stunning nose of pure cassis, lead pencil, graphite, spring flowers, chocolate, and a wonderful sense of chalky minerality. It's put on weight since I tasted it from barrel and brings full-bodied richness and depth with plenty of ripe tannins, all of which are grounded by classic Saint-Emilion limestone-driven minerality. It's a beautifully deep, layered, powerful Pavie Decesse that's going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit maturity and will have 20-30 years of longevity." 04/22