Château de Pez 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château de Pez 2018

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep, intense ruby hue.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of black fruits, notably blackcurrant, accompanied by delicate floral notes of violet. Spicy and mineral nuances complete the bouquet, with hints of cedar and tobacco imparted by aging in oak barrels.

Palate

The attack on the palate is supple despite a fine concentration. The palate reveals a dense, complex structure, carried by elegant, velvety tannins. Flavors of black fruits and flowers linger, underpinned by a mineral freshness. The long, persistent finish unveils spicy and citrus notes.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is a perfect match for grilled or roasted red meats, such as beef tenderloin. It also pairs beautifully with duck, notably a magret, as well as game such as venison or wild boar. Herb-crusted lamb preparations also make a harmonious pairing. For cheeses, opt for aged varieties such as Reblochon or Saint-Nectaire.

Serving and cellaring

Château de Pez 2018 benefits from being decanted 60 to 90 minutes before serving to fully reveal its aromas. Serve at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2032.

An elegant, structured Saint-Estèphe from Château de Pez

The estate

Founded in 1452 in Saint-Estèphe, Château de Pez spans 42 hectares on a gravel plateau resting on a clay-limestone base. The estate benefits from the favorable microclimate of the Gironde. Owned since 1995 by the Champagne House Louis Roederer, held by the Rouzaud family, it has been led by Nicolas Glumineau, managing director, winemaker and oenologist, since 2012. Restructured between 2005 and 2022 and equipped in 2018 with a modern vat room enabling parcel-by-parcel vinification, the vineyard, planted with cabernet sauvignon and merlot, is HVE-certified. The estate’s philosophy is to produce wines that combine finesse, balance and complexity.

The vineyard

The vineyard of Château de Pez in Saint-Estèphe extends over an exceptional terroir of Garonne gravel resting on a clay-limestone base. This geological composition ensures optimal drainage while providing the vine with a steady water supply. The estate enjoys a privileged location close to the Gironde estuary, which moderates the climate and protects the vines from spring frosts. The plots, managed according to sustainable viticulture principles and certified High Environmental Value, are carefully worked to preserve biodiversity and the terroir’s natural balance.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Bordeaux is considered exceptional. The year benefited from favorable weather conditions, with warm temperatures during the growing season and a well-balanced distribution of rainfall. These conditions enabled optimal ripening of the grapes, particularly benefiting cabernet sauvignon, which reached full phenolic maturity. Harvesting took place under excellent conditions, with merlot picked on September 22, cabernet franc on October 3 and cabernet sauvignon on October 6, allowing each grape variety to reach its ideal level of ripeness.

Vinification and aging

The vinification of Château de Pez 2018 is carried out parcel by parcel in eighteen temperature-controlled, truncated-conical stainless-steel vats. This approach makes it possible to tailor fermentation and extraction protocols to each plot according to its specific characteristics. Macerations are conducted gently to preserve refined tannins. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, with around 40% new barrels. This aging promotes integration of the components and the development of aromatic complexity while respecting the expression of the fruit.

Grape varieties

Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot.