Magnum Château Pavie Decesse - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

From a terroir located just above Pavie, the 2017 Château Pavie Decesse reveals a glass-staining purple color to go with full-bodied aromas and flavors of black raspberries, cassis, liquid violets, and hints of oak. Powerful yet elegant, with building minerality that develops with time in the glass, it stays tight and focused on the palate but has a blockbuster finish. It’s another wine from the Perse family that will check in near the top of the vintage.

Vinifera

92 / 100

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Riche et crémeux au nez, enrobé et puissant. La bouche est charnue, ronde et ample, assez large et garnie pour le millésime. Elle finit sur des tanins encore fermes mais noblement serrés.

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

The 2017 Pavie-Decesse is sensual and alluring. Crème de cassis, inky purplish fruit, licorice, lavender and sweet spice infuse this unctuous, super-expressive Saint-Émilion. Even with all of its intensity, the 2017 retains gorgeous freshness and aromatic lift. Hints of jasmine, mint and lavender add attractive top notes to this undeniably racy, sexy Saint-Émilion.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

Dark, dusky fruits drenched in pastis, the powdered remains of star anise and a pot of homemade jam create this attention-seeking perfume. Plush, powerful and concentrated, the fruit is ripe, sweet and has a jazz movement on the backend. The finish is fresh, fruity and piquant. Made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.53.

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Pavie-Decesse comes from the 3.5-hectare estate just above Pavie that were unaffected by the frost. It was picked on 27 September in one day and is matured in 100% new oak. It has quite a dense bouquet with marine-tinged black cherry and boysenberry fruit, a touch of blood orange and kirsch developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with furry tannin, very grippy in the mouth, quite dense and sinewy with a smear of dark chocolate towards the finish. It just cuts away a little swiftly at the moment and the wood tannins feel quite dominant.

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

There was no frost in this vineyard in 2017, due to its elevation. One-hundred percent of the fruit comes from the limestone plateau. Composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and sporting a very deep purple-black color, the 2017 Pavie Decesse has a drop-dead gorgeous nose of crushed blackcurrants, red roses, black plums and blueberries with touches of tapenade, cigar box and wood smoke plus a hint of cast iron pan. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and incredibly structured with grainy tannins and a lively line supporting the tightly wound fruit, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

Decanter.com

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

From 3ha located just below La Mondotte on the higher part of the plateau, there was no frost at this estate (although they managed to select it down to 14hl/ha), and it's showing extremely well. This is a big wine, and there's no question that those shoulders are ripe for carrying - a linear conductor of minerality. It's silky and persistent, with plenty of punch to the liquorice and dark chocolate. Those low yields come from careful selection, and I would have loved to taste this with just slightly higher yields and a touch more juice, but that's quibbling. No second wine here.

Drinking Window 2026 - 2038

WeinWisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

This wine is structured and concentrated, with powerful dark fruits and a strong mineral texture. It is rich but firm, dominated by a dry core. The ripe fruit will come through later. Drink from 2025.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

This is very compacted and tight with firm and silky tannins. A focused and intense center palate with excellent dark fruit and a long finish. Tightly wound.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

Solid, with boysenberry and raspberry puree notes at the core backed by licorice and fruitcake accents. Offers a fleshy feel, with slightly prominent toast on the finish but enough fruit to soak it up.—J.M.