Château PAVIE-DECESSE 2010
On the heights of Saint-Émilion, Château Pavie-Decesse occupied a particularly confidential vineyard, entirely located on the limestone plateau of the appellation. Detached from Château Pavie in 1885, the property built its identity around this homogeneous terroir where the limestone mixed with clay imparts to the wines a deep structure and a remarkable aptitude for aging. The estate has belonged to Gérard Perse since 2001, who is also the owner of Château Pavie, and its vineyard represented only a few hectares. Merlot dominated there very largely, finding in these fresh and limestone soils the necessary conditions to combine maturity, density, and tension. Cabernet Franc complemented it, giving more aromatic relief and length. The limited production reinforced the rare character of this label among the great wines of Saint-Émilion. The 2010 vintage, powerful and particularly ripe, perfectly corresponds to the concentrated temperament of Pavie-Decesse while benefiting from the natural freshness of the limestone plateau.
Château Pavie-Decesse 2010 is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with a natural alcohol degree announced at 14.5%. This very high proportion of Merlot gives the wine a broad, fleshy, and deep body, while Cabernet Franc brings a more vertical dimension. The richness of the vintage finds a precious counterpoint in the limestone nature of the terroir, which maintains tension at the heart of a generous structure. The vinification was conducted in small wooden vats, adapted to the particularly small size of the harvest. The 2010 was built in its youth around a significant concentration, very ripe black fruit, and a tannic mass intended to require time. After more than fifteen years in the bottle, this architecture begins to soften and reveal more tertiary nuances. It nevertheless remains a Saint-Émilion of great density, capable of continuing its evolution in the cellar for many years.
The color retains a very deep garnet hue, with ruby nuances that gradually begin to mark its evolution. The nose combines blackberry, black plum, and ripe cherry with notes of licorice, cocoa, and spices. Aeration can reveal nuances of truffle, tobacco, graphite, and undergrowth, while the fruit still maintains an important presence. The palate is broad and enveloping, with a confirmed concentration but supported by the mineral freshness of the terroir. The tannins, initially powerful, now gain in smoothness and give the wine a more velvety texture. The finish remains long and deep, on black fruits, cocoa, spices, and a chalky dimension that brings precision. Château Pavie-Decesse 2010 will accompany roasted pigeon, beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, rack of lamb, royal hare, or a preparation around black truffle.
Grape varieties: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
