2000 Pavie-Decesse, St-Emilion

“Gerard Perse's 2000 Pavie Decesse, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from a vineyard situated above Pavie, on the steep limestone hillsides outside the walled town of St.-Emilion, is a fabulous effort (all the Perse wines are stunning in this vintage). Notes of camphor, creme de cassis, violets, black currants, cedar, and licorice jump from the glass of this inky/purple-hued offering. Monumental richness, sensational sweet tannin, a skyscraper-like mid-palate, and a 45+-second finish result in an extraordinary wine that is just reaching its plateau of full maturity. It should last for another 20-25 years. (RP)” (06/2010)

“Very ripe and powerful with spice, meat and walnut character. Full-bodied, deep and layered. Flamboyant and decadent. Long and flavorful finish.” (03/2018)

“Extremely ripe, almost raisiny, with lots of Indian spices and prunes that turn to tar. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and velvety tannins that emphasize the richness of the year and the class of the soil. (JS)” (07/2003)

“Bright, deep ruby. Explosive aroma of roasted black cherry. Dense, highly concentrated and deep, with penetrating, palate-saturating flavors of blackberry and black cherry framed by firm underlying minerality. A wine of great force; despite its major ripeness, there's also a cool, medicinal aspect that's utterly refreshing. Finishes with big, broad tannins and outstanding length. (ST)” (06/2003)

“While Pavie itself goes for super-opulence, Pavie-Decesse is more restrained, more classic. It has harmony and balance, allowing the deep, black fruits to rest easily with the dense tannins. (RV)” (06/2003)