1998 Saint-Émilion, Château Pavie Decesse
About Producer
Located on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, this property was part of the Pavie estate until 1855 when the then owner, Ferdinand Bouffard, decided to form a separate vineyard that he named Pavie Decesse. After a period of different ownerships, Pavie Decesse was bought in 1990 by the Valette family, already owners of Pavie since 1970. It was the Valettes who sold Pavie Decesse to Gérard Perse in 1997, one year before also selling Pavie to Perse. After the merger of the portion on the hillsides into Pavie in 2002, Pavie Decesse’s vineyard now covers 3ha, entirely located on the limestone plateau of St-Emilion. Though not having the refinement of Pavie, Pavie Decesse is a powerful, dense and mineral wine that is a true rendition of its terroir.
Varietals
Blend of 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc.
About Appellation
Saint-Émilion and its vineyards that cover 5,331ha of vines were listed in 1999 as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Archeological evidence suggests that vines were planted here in Roman times. From a geological angle, the appellation can be divided in three sections. Close to the town, the limestone plateau sits on chalky and clayey siliceous soils. The northwest corner, that continues westwards into Pomerol, has a sandy layer on top of clay-like soils. Totalling 1,171ha, these two first sections are home to the finest estates of the appellation. The third section is the area south of the limestone plateau towards the Dordogne river that lies on sandy soils with alluvial gravel deposits. Across the appellation, merlot reigns supreme with cabernet franc playing a supporting role.
Tasting Notes
Enticing nose of dark berry fruits, prune, spice box, truffle and garrigue herbs, rich mouthfeel with smooth texture, excellent concentration and impeccable focus, intense flavours of black fruit preserves, plum, coffee, liquorice and baking spices intermixed with mouth-coating mineral undertones, lively acidity and resolved tannins carrying through a long, persistent finish. This is a superb wine with exquisite elegance, remarkable balance and amazing precision. This second vintage under Gérard Perse’s aegis, after he bought the property in 1997, brilliantly heralded the rebirth of Pavie Decesse. Having shed the rough edges of its early years, there is a captivating display of composed opulence and invigorating verve at 23 years old. I particularly love the blend of subtle power, vibrant freshness and understated complexity on the palate that attest to its considerable ageing capacity. (11/2021)