From Chantal and Gérard Perse, this St.-Emilion is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It is interesting that the small vineyard of 8.5 acres (which I have walked) sits above Pavie on a steep, pure limestone outcrop. This is the quintessential limestone-based wine, with a liquor of powdered chalk mixed with cassis and blackberry. Very concentrated (almost painfully so), this highly extracted, full-bodied, massive, rich and powerful wine needs cellaring. Everything is present for a great future. This is one of the superstars of the vintage. Unfortunately, production of Pavis Decesse is minuscule, as a large section of the vineyard was incorporated into Pavie. This wine, with its opaque purple color and great density and richness is a connoisseur’s dream. Forget it for 5-8 years and drink it over the following three decades.

Radiant and sexy in the glass, the 2012 Pavie-Decesse is the most gracious of the three top wines in Gérard Perse's lineup. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, menthol and licorice are some of the notes that fused together in this beautifully focused, layered wine. Hints of violet and lavender add the closing shades of nuance. Silky tannins give the Pavie-Decesse plenty of early appeal, but there is also more than enough depth for the 2012 to drink well for a number of years. The 2012 is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, from vines that are 50 years old on average.

The 2012 Pavie Decesse, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, is a beauty. Crushed chalk, spring flower, blackberry and smoky cassis notes are all present in this deep, full-bodied, authoritative, rich, concentrated, soft wine. It is far more accessible than most past vintages have been. I suspect this 2012 should drink well upon release and last 15-20 years. It reminds me somewhat of their 2001. Much of Pavie Decesse’s vineyard was absorbed into its neighbor, Chateau Pavie, so this estate now consists of only 8.5 acres situated on the high limestone hillside above Pavie.

This really floral with blueberry and raspberry undertones. Very perfumed. Full body, with a medium center palate and a juicy fruit finish. Lovely aromatics to this wine. At this point, I have a slight preference for 2011. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Lifted, bright notes on the nose combine Spirity, blackcurrant and baked plum with beef stock and fruit cake. Palate has delicious, well defined fruit but the tannins obstruct a little and the finish remains a little green.

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, cropped at 26hl/ha and aged in 80% new oak – this has a very opaque bouquet compared to the 2011 that needs several minutes to unfold. There are precocious red berry fruit, incense and cedar notes. The palate is seems to be nicely balanced, although there is still a little malolactic to be finish in this sample. The tannins appear fine however, and the finish is long and grippy in the mouth. Tasted April 2013.

Moderately saturated medium ruby. Deeply pitched nose combines blackcurrant, mocha, minerals and complex soil tones. Silky, supple and quite suave for the vintage, but with lovely acid cut and spice lifting the dark fruit flavors in the mouth. A very pure example of Pavie-Decesse, this wine expands nicely on the back end and finishes with mounting but smooth tannins.

Drink 2020-2030 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Black core and deep purple rim. Very ripe damson fruit and very powerful oak influence at the moment (80% new). Firm grip but not hard, just very powerful and concentrated, almost tarry. Impressive rather than refined, though perhaps that will come. Pretty impenetrable now. (JH)