2016 Ch Pavie Decesse Grand Cru Classé, St-Émilion

Deep purple-black colored, the 2016 Pavie Decesse bursts boldly out of the glass with confident blackcurrant preserves, baked blackberries, baked plums and sandalwood notes with touches of Indian spices, mocha and lilacs plus touches of cedar chest and pencil lead. Big, concentrated and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it has a truly impressive structure of very firm, finely grained tannins and racy freshness lifting all that densely packed fruit to a very long, multilayered finish. Wow!

98 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown for The Wine Advocate

Amazing, pure cherries, plums and flowers, as well as crushed stones. It jumps out of the glass. Full body, powerful tannins and a freshness and roundness to it. Lightly salty on the finish. Great structure with finesse. Try after 2024.

99 points James Suckling

The 2016 Pavie-Decesse pulses with energy, tension and pure class. Inky red and purplish berry fruit, pomegranate, chocolate, lavender and spice all run through this super-expressive Saint-Émilion. Dark and unctuous in the glass, but also very much medium in body, the 2016 is super refined and elegant. Silky tannins, pulsing, saline minerality and a sense of vibrancy all add to the wine's considerable appeal. The 2016 is a wine of exceptional finesse, class and sensuality. More importantly, it is absolutely memorable.

97 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Perched on the limestone plateau overlooking Saint Émilion, Château Pavie Decesse is one of Gérard Perse's most distinguished estates. Once a little known vineyard, it has been transformed through meticulous viticulture and uncompromising attention to detail into one of the Right Bank's leading Grand Cru Classé properties. Its combination of limestone soils, low yields and careful winemaking consistently produces wines of remarkable concentration, finesse and longevity.

The magnificent 2016 vintage is recognised as one of Bordeaux's greatest, delivering fruit of exceptional purity, balance and precision. The estate's elevated limestone and clay vineyards produced Merlot and Cabernet Franc of outstanding intensity while preserving freshness and mineral definition. Careful élevage has created a wine of impressive depth that is beginning to reveal the harmony and complexity for which the estate is renowned.

Deep garnet with youthful ruby highlights, the bouquet is richly layered with black cherry, plum and blackberry intertwined with violets, cedar and graphite. As the wine opens, notes of truffle, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate and subtle spice emerge, adding remarkable complexity and unmistakable Saint Émilion character. The palate is sumptuous yet beautifully poised, combining concentrated dark fruits with velvety tannins, vibrant freshness and a finely etched limestone minerality. Powerful, seamless and exceptionally long, the finish lingers with savoury depth, floral perfume and refined elegance.

A magnificent companion for beef Wellington, roast duck, venison loin, herb crusted lamb or black truffle dishes. Already captivating with extended decanting, this outstanding Saint Émilion has the pedigree and structure to evolve gracefully for many decades.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2055.