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Pavie Decesse 2005

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Tasting Notes

(95+? points) Somewhat of a paradox to taste, on the palate this wine is close to perfection, but the nose is somewhat reduced, with some fig and prune notes. What doesn’t make sense is that the palate is fresh, full-bodied and super-concentrated, with great blue, red and black fruits, licorice, earth and spice. This is a massive wine, but the nose has me worried. Drink 2015-2025.

95+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015

The Château Pavie-Decesse 2005 has an exotic and irresistible bouquet with immense purity: crème de cassis, blueberry, vanilla and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous tannin, well-judged acidity, fine structure and poise. There is great depth here, very sensual and with a powerful sweet cassis finish that feels just a little top-heavy and unlike the superior Pavie '05, shows a little dryness. Give this another few years or so in order to find its equilibrium.

91
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2015

Violet and berry with hints of raspberry. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins. Long. Gorgeous but powerful.

92/94
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

Tasted blind. Healthy crimson. Sweet and ripe on the nose. Just a bit too intense and concentrated on the palate so that the finish is a tad bitter.
Drink 2015-2027

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Saturated, deep ruby-red. Superripe black fruits, licorice, graphite and violet on the nose. Wonderfully sweet and scented on the palate, with terrific aromatic lift to the explosive dark fruit, mineral and floral flavors. The wine's powerful rocky minerality and high-pitched berry fruit nicely leaven the almost exaggerated ripeness of the vintage, giving this wine terrific freshness and extending its finish. An outstanding combination of sweetness and power. I can see this improving in bottle for 20 years.

94
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Huge wine, like Pavie, black, intensely concentrated, but with uncredible impact of flavour, monumental tannins and considerable ability to age. Compared with Pavie it is easy to discern the difference in soil, with more mineral character evident in Decesse. Drink from 2017.

18.5
Michel Bettane, Decanter.com, April 2006
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96+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008

Sadly, only 415 cases are being made from this 9+ acre vineyard that averages 46 years of age. Planted on a high limestone plateau above Pavie, it is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. A spectacular offering from Gerard Perse fashioned from yields of 33 hectoliters per hectare, its upbringing includes a 35-day maceration, malolactic in barrel, and aging on its lees for six months. A liquid mineral component dominates the nose of the opaque purple-hued 2005. Full-bodied with wonderful elegance and precision, its relationship to Pavie can be seen in its broad texture and long, concentrated creme de cassis, raspberry, and blueberry notes. Its aging in 100% new French oak has been beautifully absorbed, leaving only subtle hints of espresso and chocolate. This structured, tannic beauty will require a decade of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040+.

96/100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

As it did in 2000 and 2003, this tiny garagiste estate (just over 8 acres) owned by Chantal and Gerard Perse has produced a monumental wine in 2005. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc fashioned from yields of 33 hectoliters per hectare, it receives a 4-5 week maceration, malolactic in barrel, and aging on its lees, a la top Burgundies. There are only 415 cases, and the wine achieved 14% alcohol. Forgetting its off-the-charts analytical numbers, it is a prodigious effort boasting an inky/blue/purple color, followed by rich aromas of camphor, crushed rocks, sweet blueberries, black raspberries, creme de cassis, and pain grille. Possessing superb intensity, skyscraper-like layers, and huge tannins, it should be forgotten for 5-7 years, and drunk over the following two decades. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+.

96/100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Blackish crimson. Very thick, sweet and raisined on the nose. Hard work! Tough tannins on the end and very drying and sour. Shades of Mendoza. 14.5%
Drink 2023-2030

15.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2015
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.