PAVIE DECESSE [ST EMILION] 2020 750ML

Just about pure perfection, the 2020 Château Pavie Decesse has sensational notes of blue fruits (cassis, blueberries) as well as some spicy oak, flowers, and smoke tobacco. Its oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is full-bodied, with ripe tannins and a kiss of salinity on the finish. Based on 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc coming from the upper plateau, just above Château Pavie, it has a rare mix of power and finesse and is going to evolve for 20-25 years or more in cold cellars.

Very deep aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, dried meat, smoke, and cedar follow through to a full body, yet it’s very tight and refined on the palate with citrus and orange peel. Nice bitterness at the end. Power with finesse.

The 2020 Pavie Decesse is a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, aging in French oak barrels, 80% new. It has an alcohol of 14.81% and a pH of 3.52. Deep purple-black colored, notions of baked blackberries, preserved plums and black cherry compote come barreling out of the glass, followed by suggestions of dark chocolate, licorice and Indian spices, with a fragrant hint of lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with rich, spicy black fruits, supported by firm yet beautifully plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long with lots of emerging earthy nuances.

The 2020 Pavie Decesse was picked on September 23, the same day as Perse’s Bellevue-Mondotte, at just 17hl/ha, and matured in 80% new oak, the final blend to be made at bottling. This is rich and opulent on the nose, which delivers intense black cherries, raspberry coulis, blueberry and blood orange scents; the new oak is quite prominent. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, though I find this more nuanced and delineated compared to the Bellevue-Mondotte. More terroir is articulated toward the persistent finish, which displays subtle black pepper and clove notes. This actually challenges Pavie for my affections.

Dark, rich and brooding nose full of savoury liquorice, the fruit almost in the background, but you get a sense of heat and ripeness. Full and serious, smooth and unctuous, the tannins are grainy and a bit firm, so they give a sense of leanness on the palate, but the flavours are of spiced blackcurrants, redcurrants, roses and perfume. Juicy and halfway between being plump and being straight. It has a lovely sweet element, while still being clean and direct. Textured, lingering and fun.