Chateau Pavie Decesse - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

94 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

(15% alcohol): Saturated dark ruby. High-toned aromas of cassis, black raspberry, bitter chocolate and crushed-rock minerality. Layered and powerful on the palate, but with highly concentrated cassis, black raspberry and dark chocolate flavors energized by pungent chalky minerality and strong acidity. One feels the 15% alcohol in the wine's sheer size and chewy texture but the impressively long finish shows more tangy energy than heat. Needs five or six years of patience, but this comes across as considerably less tanninc and forbidding than the Pavie.

Jamessuckling.com

97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/17/2013

This is fascinating with a nutty, dried herb, spices, berry and hints of toasted character. Full body, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. This has a wonderful density of fruit and length. Amazing. Try in 2020.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

A Blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with 14.5% natural alcohol, the higher percentage of Merlot in this wine than in the Pavie gives it a stunning opulence, thickness and luxuriousness. Opaque purple, with notes of mulberry and kirsch liqueur leaning toward blacker fruits, subtle smoked meats and some lead pencil and vanillin, this is another brawny, full-bodied, yet remarkably precise and fresh style of wine despite its sensational extract and power. Give it 5-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 30-40 years.

This vineyard has shrunk, as part of it was incorporated into its more famous sibling, Chateau Pavie. It is now 8.5 acres sitting slightly higher on the slope above Pavie.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010: Pavie Decesse’s vineyard is currently 8.5 acres (it declined dramatically after part of the vineyard was incorporated into the larger Pavie estate as both are owned by Chantal and Gerard Perse). The vines are planted in decomposed limestone soils and yields in 2010 were only 24 hectoliters per hectare. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that achieved 14.5% natural alcohol (slightly higher than what Pavie reached, no doubt because of the higher percentage of Merlot). Sweet berry fruit, barbecue smoke and toasty oak aromas jump from the glass of this inky/purple-colored 2010. Softer and more restrained than previous vintages, this is a beautiful, full-bodied, opulent, stunningly pure, rich wine that should be drinkable in 5-6 years and last for three decades. Drink 2016-2046

Asian Palate

91-93 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

This deep ruby coloured Pavie Decesse offers a ripe expression of the 2010 vintage. The plum, blackberry and cassis flavours are generous, round and well balanced by supple tannins. The flavours are densely packed but the fresh acidity adds lift and support. This is a well crafted, modern style -- not too thick nor overly ripe. Wait at least 5 years before approaching.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

This is so bright and beautiful with lovely aromas of dark fruits and flowers. Full and silky yet fresh and bright. Complex.

Decanter Magazine

18 / 20

byJames Lawther MWthe4/30/2011

Another powerful offering from this Gérard Perse estate. Like sister Pavie, a wine of extremes with raisined notes and muscular tannic frame lifted by the freshness of the limestone terroir. Huge ageing potential but not everyone's cup of tea. Drink 2020-2040. (18 points)

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2011

Hedonist alert-dense, fleshy layers of fig sauce, warm cocoa, dark currant confiture and exotic spice fill this red, which also shows plenty of grip, with a smoldering wood note on the back end. —J.M.

TAST

17 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Viril et puissant, avec encore de l’amertume et des tanins denses, serrés, longs. Grand volume ferme. C’est toujours le vin le plus immédiatement vigoureux des propriétés de Gérard Perse, il s’affinera dès l’élevage et tout au long d’une existence qui s’annonce grande.