OK, first things first…I’m a Pavie slut. There, I said it.
Opened the bottle at 5PM last night and put into a captain’s decanter. This bottle threw a huge amount of sediment for such a young bottle. Waited until almost 8PM to take the first taste as we enjoyed it with a nice USDA Prime Strip Loin au poivre and some HdP roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes.
In the glass, the wine looks like a young vintage port. Nose of violets, vanilla and spice just jumps from the glass. Loads and loads of glycerin that coats the mouth. Still a BIG wall of tannin there with some serious wood. Not for the faint of heart or those seaking a dainty wine. The fruit isn’t covered up though. Concentrated chocolate covered cherry is how I would best describe it, with a hint of the anise/licorice on the mid palate. Finish lasts for a minute.
At this stage, I would rank the bottle right behind the 2001, even with the 2003 and ahead of the 2002. It just makes me want to pull the trigger on the 2005 when the price eventually softens, as well as get some 2006. I think that a few more hours in the decanter probably would help quite a bit.
Sounds like how I described the 98 at a similar stage and the 99 and the 2000. Consistent or spoofilated that is the question???
Cheers, Keith Levenberg
Jack, I really don’t care one way or the other…honestly. It’s an amazing property and Perse is turning out probably my favorite wine in the world (sorry Mr. Krankle).
You truly are a Pavie slut, no question about it. That is, of course, until your tastes change, opening the door for making fun of others. It’s win-win.
Have you had Monbousquet? It’s a cheap version of Pavie, essentially, at least in my book, and Nancy’s, and Cris’, and Jan’s. Charlie thinks something else, but nobody cares what he thinks.
Todd and I shared a 98 Monbo at a recent OL. To me it was at the bottom of the food chain that evening. I have a lot of Monbo. I bought a case of splits of the 05. I like splits of the wine since they can vary so much from bottle to bottle and I have been forced to go Otto on a few.