Pavie-Decesse St-Emilion 2019

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "From vines located just above Château Pavie and based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Château Pavie Decesse sports a vivid purple hue as well as a stunning nose of pure cassis, lead pencil, graphite, spring flowers, chocolate, and a wonderful sense of chalky minerality. It's put on weight since I tasted it from barrel and brings full-bodied richness and depth with plenty of ripe tannins, all of which are grounded by classic Saint-Emilion limestone-driven minerality. It's a beautifully deep, layered, powerful Pavie Decesse that's going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit maturity and will have 20-30 years of longevity. Drink: 2029-2060. (4/11/22)"

98 points James Suckling: "A perfumed nose of cherries, blueberries, cedar, toast, cloves and walnuts. Full-bodied with a firm, beautiful frame of fine-grained tannins. Layered and elegant. Intense, powerful and spicy. Dark and intriguing, with wonderful presence in the glass. Keeps going. Only 2 hectares in production because 1.5 hectare replanted.Try from 2027. (1/21/22)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2019 Pavie Decesse is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with a remarkably low pH of 3.53 (no doubt owing to its enviable position on the limestone plateau), lending the densely laden palate a lot of pop this vintage. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes on the nose with spritely notes of wild blueberries, fresh blackberries, and roses, plus nuances of boysenberry preserves, pencil shavings, and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has beautiful freshness with fine-grained tannins to support the electric black and blue fruit layers, finishing with wonderful energy. It's worth noting that production is substantially down this year because there are currently only 2 hectares under production. With 1.5 hectares being replanted, there will be more Cabernet Franc in the blend in future years. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2025-2050. (5/9/22)"

96 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby, opaque core, violet tints, delicate bright rim. Fresh wild berries, a hint of cassis, mineral nuances, delicate noble wood savouriness is underlaid. Juicy, ripe cherries, red berry nuances, vivid, supporting tannins, lively structure, mineral finish, remains long, salty finish, safe ageing potential. (6/15/20)"

96 points La Revue du Vin de France: "In the same vein, but even more intense, 2019 is shaping up to be a dense sap with fruity and spicy aromas. Carried by the thousandfold warmth, the tannin is juicy but justly refreshed by the limestone, making the wine ideal for radiant ageing. (2023)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "[$130 list] Very inviting, with singed apple wood, warmed anise and plum reduction notes spilling forth, while the polished structure gives it a seemingly easy feel. Shows serious length and depth, with a subtle chalky minerality on the finish amid all the fruit. Lovely. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2038. 600 cases made. (5/31/22)"

95 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc). This is intense, powerful, with a swipe of fresh mint leaf. Deliciously sculpted and concentrated but whistle-clean on the finish, big-shouldered but light on its feet. An excellent Pavie Decesse with the tension of limestone, 3.51ph, 70% new oak. Drink: 2026-2042. Alcohol 14.5%. (1/17/22)"