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95 Robert Parker
93 Wine Spectator
17 Rene Gabriel
This 23-acre vineyard, acquired by Gerard and Chantal Perse in 1997, is situated on the south-facing limestone plateau above Chateau Pavie. This blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc (from vines averaging 41 years of age) was cropped at a meager 30 hectoliters per hectare. After a five week maceration, the wine was aged 18 months in 100% new oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered (as are all the Perse wines). An inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by rich aromas of Asian spices, soy, black truffles, licorice, espresso, and intense cherry and blackberry fruit. It displays great intensity, medium to full body, low acidity, and high tannin. This beauty is not far off the pace of the blockbuster 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018.
Producer
Château Pavie Decesse
Unfairly overshadowed by its renowned older sibling Pavie, the similarly owned Château Pavie-Decesse produces powerfully dense and lavish wines under Gérard Perse’s leadership. Acquired just one year before Pavie in 1997, the Grand Cru Classé property essentially shares the same terroir as the famed château with the tract of land planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. In the center of the Côtes sub-district, the vineyards are high above the rest, found on top of the Saint-Émilion plateau. The limestone beneath is expressed by fresh floral and mineral aspects making the wines at Pavie-Decesse notably unique. Crafted in true Perse style, their rich and opulent reds have always had a tighter, more compact form, full of sweet and dark spiced fruits. Produced in the same spirit of greatness, rivaling even the Great Bordeaux Growths, Pavie-Decesse is an age-worthy Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend with remarkable tannins and hints of vanilla scented oak.