Chateau Pavie-Decesse 2016

SKU
PDCM201610 UCAU
  • "This has beautiful presence and finesse..." James Suckling
  • "The 2016 Pavie-Decesse is sumptuous, succulent and beautifully resonant on the palate." Antonio Galloni
  • "Gorgeous - the best that I remember." Jane Anson, Decanter
  • 1 or more bottles
    $325.00
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  • James Suckling
    99* points
  • Antonio Galloni
    97* points
  • Wine Enthusiast
    95* points
  • Decanter
    94 points
  • Neal Martin
    94* points

Editors notes

The 2016 Pavie-Decesse is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

"It has a very flamboyant nose for the vintage, eschewing the classicism you might find elsewhere in Saint Emilion with luscious macerated black cherries, blueberry and vanilla pod aromas, a hint of iodine developing in the glass. The palate is full-bodied with succulent, juicy ripe blue and black fruit, the acidity maintaining the freshness and with an almost viscous finish due to the concentration." Neal Martin

Details

Tasting Profile

  • Light (Light)
    Full (Full)
  • Low Tannin (Low Tannin)
    Tannic (Tannic)
  • Sweet (Sweet)
    Dry (Dry)
  • Low Acidity (Low Acidity)
    High Acidity (High Acidity)
  • Aroma
    • Blueberry
    • Boysenberry
    • Herbal
  • Palate
    • Blue Fruits
    • Cassis
    • Graphite

Food Pairings

  • Pork
  • Red Meat

Critic Scores & reviews

  • James Suckling

    99*
    "This has beautiful presence and finesse with lovely fruit, mineral and light walnut character. Center palate is gorgeous. Long and refined. Perhaps better than the superb 2015. 98-99 points."
  • Antonio Galloni

    97*
    "The 2016 Pavie-Decesse is sumptuous, succulent and beautifully resonant on the palate. Plum, lavender, spice and licorice are all nicely pushed forward. Time in the glass lets the flavors gain in both brightness and focus. Round, supple and textured, the 2016 possesses exceptional balance. Silky tannins and creamy, voluptuous fruit add to the wine's appeal. 94-97 points."
  • Wine Enthusiast

    95*
    "Barrel Sample. This wine, from vineyards up the hill from Château Pavie, is perfumed with a higher proportion of Cabernets than in previous vintages. It is rich and structured, but also juicy. The tannins are spicy while the black currant fruit is crisp and refreshing. 93-95 points."
  • Decanter

    94
    "A Perse wine from up on the limestone plateau where the vines never suffered from dry water stress in 2016, and so this has juice, tension and depth, plus a quite amazingly low 3.43pH. Gorgeous - the best that I remember. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Drinking Window 2025 - 2038 Tasted by Jane Anson"
  • Neal Martin

    94*
    "The 2016 Pavie-Decesse is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc cropped at just 26 hectoliters per hectare and delivers 14.63% alcohol with a pH of 3.43. It was picked on 12 October and will be matured in 100% new oak. It has a very flamboyant nose for the vintage, eschewing the classicism you might find elsewhere in Saint Emilion with luscious macerated black cherries, blueberry and vanilla pod aromas, a hint of iodine developing in the glass. The palate is full-bodied with succulent, juicy ripe blue and black fruit, the acidity maintaining the freshness and with an almost viscous finish due to the concentration. It is atypical for the vintage, hedonistic and creamy in texture. Go for this if you seek fruit and concentration in 2016. 92-94 points. Drink 2026 - 2050"

Other vintages

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Locations

France

Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.

Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.

Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)

The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux has a rich history of winemaking, dating back to the Roman times. Today, it is known as one of the most significant wine regions in the world, with a reputation for producing complex, full-bodied red wines. The region is home to a diverse range of terroirs, each with its own unique microclimate, soil composition, and grape varieties.

The left bank of Bordeaux is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the region's gravelly soils. These wines tend to be bold, tannic, and complex, with notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. On the right bank, Merlot is king, producing wines that are softer and fruitier, with notes of plum, cherry, and chocolate.

Aside from the red blends, Bordeaux is also renowned for its sweet wines, particularly from the Sauternes and Barsac appellations. These wines are made using a unique process that involves botrytis, or "noble rot," which concentrates the sugars in the grapes, resulting in a lusciously sweet and complex wine.

Bordeaux's classification system has evolved over time, with some estates moving up or down the ranks depending on the quality of their wines. Today, the system includes five growths, with Premier Cru being the highest and Deuxièmes Crus being the second-highest. There is also a separate classification for the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, with Chateau d’Yquem holding the highest rank.

Overall, Bordeaux is a region that continues to captivate wine enthusiasts around the world with its rich history, diverse terroirs, and exceptional wines.

Saint-Emilion

Saint-Émilion, a prestigious and historic appellation located on the right bank of the Gironde river in Bordeaux, France, is a red-wine-only region that has earned a well-deserved spot on the World Heritage List. Although Saint-Émilion is situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean, it still benefits from the moderating influence of the river and the cool, humid climate of the region, which is ideal for cultivating early-ripening grape varieties.

Merlot, the primary grape variety in Saint-Émilion, is renowned for its plump, juicy fruit flavors and velvety tannins, and it is typically blended with Cabernet Franc, which adds structure, tannin, and complexity. Some châteaux also grow small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, which contributes additional depth and richness to the final blend.

Wine styles in Saint-Émilion can range from simple, easy-drinking wines that are perfect for enjoying in their youth to premium Grand Cru Classé wines that are among the most coveted and sought-after in the world. The quality of the wine is influenced by many factors, including location, vine age, and winemaking techniques.

The best wines from Saint-Émilion are characterized by their intense, concentrated aromas and flavors of red and black plums, often accompanied by notes of vanilla and clove from aging in new oak barrels. These wines are typically full-bodied, with high alcohol content and robust tannins, which provide structure and aging potential. Over time, bottle aging will soften the tannins, allowing the wine's rich fruit flavors to fully express themselves.

It's worth noting that Saint-Émilion has its own classification system for Premier Grand Cru Classé and Grand Cru Classé wines, which is updated every decade to reflect the changing quality of the region's wines. This system serves as a benchmark for quality and helps consumers to identify the best wines from this renowned appellation.

About the brand Chateau Pavie Decesse

Chateau Pavie-Decesse, is situated on top of the St. Emilion limestone plateau, just above Chateau Pavie (with both estates sharing similar terroir, histories and even owners)!

Chateau Pavie-Decesse can be traced all the way back to ancient Roman times. Historians are aware that vines were planted here at the estate in the fourth century, and they clearly knew what they were doing in those days because Chateau Pavie-Decesse now produces one of the top Right Bank wines today. Until 1855, the year of the classification of the Medoc , Pavie and Pavie-Decesse were part of the same vineyard. That all changed when Ferdinand Bouffard, the owner at the time separated the vineyards and created 2 new vineyards. It was in this moment that Chateau Pavie-Decesse was born.

In 2002, Chateau Pavie-Decesse became a little bit smaller with 6 hectares of Pavie-Decesse’s estate becoming a part of Pavie. This merge took place because of the similarity of terroirs, and a request from Gerard Perse who purchased the Chateau in 1997. He was already the owner of Chateau Monbousquet and after the sale concluded, Gerard Perse ordered extensive work in the vineyards and in all the wine making facilities. This included restoring the barrel cellar to the design that was originally created by Ferdinand Bouffard in the 1800’s. Along with allowing a portion of Pavie Decesse to become part of Pavie, the I.N.A.O also authorized the integration of the La Clusiere vineyards to Chateau Pavie.

The style of wine produced at Pavie-Decesse combines opulent, rich, sensuous textures with minerality, freshness and concentration. This special Bordeaux wine is a hedonistic treat. Due to its lush style, it drinks well young, yet it develops additional complexity when aged.

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