1 | Wine | Saint Emilion, 750 ml | Page 2

"A remarkable success in this vintage, Pavie’s 92 acre vineyard situated on the limestone soils of the spectacular south-facing Cote Pavie (one of the greatest terroirs of Bordeaux) was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare. A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an atypical (for a 2008) alcohol level of 14.5% that is higher than in its 2010 counterpart, the opaque purple-colored 2008 exhibits sweet, smoky barbecue notes intermixed with creme de cassis, black cherry, toast and crushed chalk. Deep, intense and full-bodied with surprisingly civilized tannins for such a young Pavie, it reveals wonderful breadth of flavor, a savory texture and a layered mouthfeel." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Very fresh, showing enticing plum, currant and boysenberry fruit, with lots of mouthwatering minerality and a long, spice-filled finish. Dense but pure. A suave wine in the making."

"A deep purple color is accompanied by massive notes of blackberries, incense, fruitcake, camphor and toasty oak intermixed with a crushed chalk-like minerality (a hallmark of this vineyard). The wine has softened considerably in bottle, and while it seems more structured than the 2010, it reveals a degree of accessibility." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"This is rock-solid, with cocoa, fig and blackberry notes rolled together, framed by dense but polished structure and all weaving nicely through the lightly grippy finish."

"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, 1,000-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."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 98 pts

"Gorgeous aromas of ceps and dark fruits with lots of forest fruit too. Love the nose o 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."

"I love the purity of fruit in this wine. ...with perfectly ripe blackberry, blueberry and raspberry on the nose. Complex and full-bodied, with hints of new oak and wonderfully polished tannins that caress the palate. Long, long finish. This is not the blockbuster it was from barrel, but rather a complete, balanced and gorgeous red."

"Concentrated black fruits intermixed with spring flowers, some high class, subtle toasty oak, graphite and a touch of blackberry and cassis all jump from the glass of this dense, full-bodied, formidably endowed, massive wine. It needs a good 5-7 years of cellaring. This could turn out to be one of the longest-lived wines ever made at Fonplegade, lasting 25-30 or more years." -Robert Parker

"A sleeper of the vintage. ...this impressive, full-bodied, surprisingly concentrated 2008 offers an opaque ruby/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, blueberry liqueur and cassis. Full-bodied and impressively broad and savory with silky tannins, it is an unqualified success in the vintage." Reviewed by Robert Parker.