Pavie-Decesse St-Émilion 2000

96 points Robert Parker: "Gerard Perse’s 2000 Pavie Decesse, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from a vineyard situated above Pavie, on the steep limestone hillsides outside the walled town of St.-Emilion, is a fabulous effort (all the Perse wines are stunning in this vintage). Notes of camphor, creme de cassis, violets, black currants, cedar, and licorice jump from the glass of this inky/purple-hued offering. Monumental richness, sensational sweet tannin, a skyscraper-like mid-palate, and a 45+-second finish result in an extraordinary wine that is just reaching its plateau of full maturity. It should last for another 20-25 years. (Jun 2010)"

95 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "A monumental and unctuous wine, with a nice minerality emerging on the nose. Drink: 2011 up to 2025. (2011)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "Extremely ripe, almost raisiny, with lots of Indian spices and prunes that turn to tar. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and velvety tannins that emphasize the richness of the year and the class of the soil. Best after 2009. 2,080 cases made. (7/31/03)"

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Bright, deep ruby. Explosive aroma of roasted black cherry. Dense, highly concentrated and deep, with penetrating, palate-saturating flavors of blackberry and black cherry framed by firm underlying minerality. A wine of great force; despite its major ripeness, there's also a cool, medicinal aspect that's utterly refreshing. Finishes with big, broad tannins and outstanding length. (May/Jun 2003)"