Chateau Pavie Decesse 2020

Seductive aromas of black berries; powerful attack, full and dense, with a firm structure; a brisk, slightly austere finish. Should definitely age.

Flashy boysenberry and blackberry compote notes course around a graphite spine, while roasted apple wood and violet accents run along the edges. Not shy with the toast but shows the fruit to match it, offering a fine-grained structure. Hard to deny. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2038.

Dark, rich and brooding nose full of savoury liquorice, the fruit almost in the background, but you get a sense of heat and ripeness. Full and serious, smooth and unctuous, the tannins are grainy and a bit firm, so they give a sense of leanness on the palate, but the flavours are of spiced blackcurrants, redcurrants, roses and perfume. Juicy and halfway between being plump and being straight. It has a lovely sweet element, while still being clean and direct. Textured, lingering and fun.

Very deep aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, dried meat, smoke, and cedar follow through to a full body, yet it’s very tight and refined on the palate with citrus and orange peel. Nice bitterness at the end. Power with finesse. Drink after 2027.

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

Opening with a strong floral bouquet, the wine soon adds nuances of fennel, black cherries, plums, chocolate, oceanic influences, coffee beans and spice. Full-bodied, silky, fresh, vibrant and polished, the finish delivers a complex ending packed with crushed rocks, dark chocolate, deep red pit fruits and a touch of licorice and sea salt on the sensuously textured backend. Drink from 2025-2050.

Deepest ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. Underlaid with a hint of chocolate, dark wild berry fruit, a hint of tobacco and licorice. Powerful, juicy and savory, integrated tannins, freshly structured, mineral finish, good length, blackberries on the aftertaste.

Pure, intense and chalky nose with ripe and dark fruit notes, floral with violet, cassis and blackberry, toned-down oak. Very dense and concentrated palate with a great dose of freshness underneath, layers of finely distributed tannins, powerful and very long finish, already balanced but should evolve tremendously.

Just about pure perfection, the 2020 Château Pavie Decesse has sensational notes of blue fruits (cassis, blueberries) as well as some spicy oak, flowers, and smoked tobacco. Its oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is full-bodied, with ripe tannins and a kiss of salinity on the finish. Based on 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc coming from the upper plateau, just above Château Pavie, it has a rare mix of power and finesse and is going to evolve for 20–25 years or more in cold cellars.

The 2020 Pavie Decesse has a deep garnet-purple color. It swans out with graceful notes of Morello cherries, mulberries, and fresh blackberries, followed by suggestions of red roses, star anise, mossy tree bark, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is laden with expressive black fruit and floral layers, supported by wonderfully fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and chalky. Gorgeous.

96-97

A blue-violet character, with a soft, beguiling core of fruit and flowers, along with notes of slate, aromatic herbs, and Black Forest. The palate is dense, opulent, ripe, with chalky tannins that bring minerality. The richness keeps building on a medium-length finish.