Lobenberg: Schwarz mit violettem Rand. Hochreife Nase, konfitürig und marmeladig, feine Süße, extreme Kraft zeigend. Die Nase ist durch die reife Note gerade noch ausreichend frisch. Im Mund satte Kraft, Tannine bis zum Abwinken aber durchaus nicht wie früher zu bitter, rauh und spröde. Satter, verbrannter Holzton, gute Rasse zeigend. Trotz etwas fehlender Frische ein sehr interessantes, zivilisiertes Monster. Wie bei dem noch überreiferen Bellevue Mondotte mag ich diesen hochreifen Stil bei gleichzeitig brutaler Extraktion nicht so sehr, trotz des ungeheuren Potentials zu einem der besten Weine des Jahrgangs und zu 100 Punkten bleibt der Pavie Decesse des gleichen Besitzers für mich in 2005 der beste Wein des Hauses. Monsieur Perse wäre mit einem Wechsel des Önologen m.E. gut beraten, auf diese Machart kann er trotz des Potentials dafür mit Pavie nie an Ausone tippen. -- RP: Now that the 2005 Pavie is in the bottle, I would place it, qualitatively, a notch below the prodigious 2000, and a few notches above the blockbuster 2003. There are 7,000 cases of this 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Disregarding the blatant jealousy of his success as well as his 'outsider' status, proprietor Gerard Perse has pushed the envelope of quality, fashioning first-growth quality wines from one of Bordeaux's finest terroirs. In St.-Emilion, only Ausone can be considered to have greater potential in terms of micro-climate and terroir. Pavie's 2005 exhibits a thick-looking purple color to the rim as well as an exquisite perfume of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, unsmoked cigar tobacco, crushed rocks, damp earth, and hints of truffles and incense. The vineyard's limestone soils have provided massive concentration, a laser-like precision, fresh, zesty acidity, and massive tannin. Despite the wine's enormous concentration and intensity, there is a lightness to its style. As Perse has made clear, he is trying to produce modern day versions of such great vintages as 1921, 1929, 1945, and 1947, wines that lasted 50 or more years. I do not understand why Perse receives so much criticism. In the blind tastings of each new vintage conducted by the Grand Jury European, Pavie usually wins against 100 or so other great Bordeaux. As they say, the truth is irrefutable - this is one of the world's most outstanding wines, and the 2005 Pavie should take its place among the greatest achievements of Bordeaux in the last 50 years. 98/100
