2001 Château Pavie-Decesse 750ml

Healthy. Overheated and porty on the nose. Then horribly dry tannins. Over oaked. (JR)

This 23-acre vineyard, acquired by Gerard and Chantal Perse in 1997, is situated on the south-facing limestone plateau above Chateau Pavie. This blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc (from vines averaging 41 years of age) was cropped at a meager 30 hectoliters per hectare. After a five week maceration, the wine was aged 18 months in 100% new oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered (as are all the Perse wines). An inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by rich aromas of Asian spices, soy, black truffles, licorice, espresso, and intense cherry and blackberry fruit. It displays great intensity, medium to full body, low acidity, and high tannin. This beauty is not far off the pace of the blockbuster 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018.

Bright ruby-red. Distinct port-like notes of surmaturite on the nose: roasted plum, kirsch and roasted nuts. Fat, lush and chewy, with very sweet, porty flavors of chocolate and animal fur. Impressively rich but a bit lacking in vibrancy. A bit over the top for this taster, showing signs of incipient oxidation; fans of extreme ripeness will like this more than I did. Finishes with building dusty tannins.