2020 Chateau Pavie Decesse Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

A blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Château Pavie Decesse comes from the upper plateau, just above Château Pavie, and the soils here are more limestone based, with just a thin layer of clay over the bedrock, which tends to produce a more elegant, ethereal wine. Nevertheless, this brings serious richness and depth as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of black cherries, currants, bouquet garni, crushed violets, and chalky minerality. Just stunning in every way, it has an expansive texture, the classic purity and elegance this cuvée always shows, and a monster of a finish.

A tight, pinpointed Pavie Decesse with a medium to full body and racy tannins that are vertical and deep. Takes you down the palate. Chewy. Chalky tannins.

Aromas of blackberry, flowers, licorice, plum and dark chocolate come to the surface easily. On the palate the wine is soft, silky, polished and fresh, with the cut of minerality and salty tannins. You find length, complexity, richness and sensuous textured in the long finish. Make sure you give this 7-9 years to develop. The wine is produced from 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, 14.81% ABV. 95-97

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.

Tasted by Jane Anson(at Primeur week tastings in Bordeaux, 01 May 2021)

Balanced, sleek and poised, plenty of character, a real push and pull, it expands and contracts, the oak is well masked and there is a sense of energy. This is an enjoyable wine, easy to recommend, but I think this may be the first vintage where I have thought that its sibling Pavie is a clear step up. 80% new oak, 3.53pH, from up on the limestone plateau. A yield of 17hl/ha.

Drinking Window 2026 - 2042

The 2020 Pavie-Decesse is compelling. Silky and voluptuous, it opens with a rush of inky red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, spice and mocha. There is terrific brightness and plenty of energy, but the luxuriousness of the fruit wins the day. I imagine the 2020 will drink well with only a few years in bottle.

vinous.com

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.

vinous.com

88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc. Only 2 ha presently in production. Cask sample. Deep colour. Subdued nose but clearly has an intensity of (dark) fruit. Pure and juicy on attack, the fruit persisting through the palate. Fine-grained tannins behind. Tension and minerality as well but plenty of charm this year. (JL)