2020 Pavie Decesse

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 smoke 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 is compelling. Silky and voluptuous, it opens with a rush of inky red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, spice and mocha. There is terrific brightness and plenty of energy, but the luxuriousness of the fruit wins the day. I imagine the 2020 will drink well with only a few years in bottle.

Balanced, sleek and poised, plenty of character, a real push and pull, it expands and contracts, the oak is well masked and there is a sense of energy. This is an enjoyable wine, easy to recommend, but I think this may be the first vintage where I have thought that its sibling Pavie is a clear step up. 80% new oak, 3.53pH, from up on the limestone plateau. A yield of 17hl/ha.