Gorgeous aromas of ceps and dark fruits with lots of forest fruit too. Love the nose of forest fruits. Incredibly deep. Full-bodied, with super chewy tannins. Powerful and rich with hints of wood. This is a powerful yet classic wine. I love the complexity to this - the balance. The density and compacted character to this is superb. Try after 2018.

Bottled the week of January 16 (a week before I tasted it) the 2009 Pavie Decesse (from a tiny 9-acre vineyard on the limestone slopes above Pavie) is an uncommonly fat succulent rich 1000-case cuvee with 14.3% alcohol. It boasts an inky/blue/purple hue along with notes of incense spring flowers roasted espresso chocolate licorice blackberries and blueberries. Even though it is aged in 100% oak the wood is virtually non-existent. An inky blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc the wine exhibits a flawless integration of acidity alcohol and tannin. This opulent viscous thick juicy St.-Emilion will be accessible in 5-7 years and last for three decades.

Terrifically rich yet beautifully rendered with precise linzer tortecurrant paste fig sauce and pain d'épices aromas and flavors thatcascade through the voluptuous finish. Beautifully polished witha huge core of pure fruit in reserve that should blossom with extendedcellaring. Best from 2016 through 2031. From France.-JM