90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc. Thick rich dark red color with a purple/red rim. Blueberry syrup and mint on the nose with a hint of caramel. Sweet blueberry jam entry onto the palate. Soft at first leading into huge but balanced tannins on the finish. Long lingering flavors of blueberry vanilla oak lavender and violet. A real beauty!

Sadly only 415 cases are being made from this 9+ acre vineyard that averages 46 years of age. Planted on a high limestone plateau above Pavie it is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. A spectacular offering from Gerard Perse fashioned from yields of 33 hectoliters per hectare its upbringing includes a 35-day maceration malolactic in barrel and aging on its lees for six months. A liquid mineral component dominates the nose of the opaque purple-hued 2005. Full-bodied with wonderful elegance and precision its relationship to Pavie can be seen in its broad texture and long concentrated creme de cassis raspberry and blueberry notes. Its aging in 100% new French oak has been beautifully absorbed leaving only subtle hints of espresso and chocolate. This structured tannic beauty will require a decade of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040+.

The Château Pavie-Decesse 2005 has an exotic and irresistible bouquet with immense purity: crème de cassis, blueberry, vanilla and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous tannin, well-judged acidity, fine structure and poise. There is great depth here, very sensual and with a powerful sweet cassis finish that feels just a little top-heavy and unlike the superior Pavie ’05, shows a little dryness. Give this another few years or so in order to find its equilibrium.