Château Pédesclaux 2021

Fascinating nose, dark berries, herbal tea, rose petals, tobacco, cedar; gripping on the attack, structured, fine-grained tannins, delicate fruit, well balanced, with spice and good length. Successful!

The 2021 Pedésclaux is a strong effort that has turned out well in bottle, offering aromas of cassis, dark berries, violets and pencil shavings, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy palate with powdery tannins, lively acids and a vibrant core of fruit.

Cool blue fruits and liquorice and salty stones on the nose. High acidity makes its mark straight away - a combination of crisp green apple, just ripe raspberries and some red cherries. Tannins are nicely integrated with hints of oak, toast and tobacco towards the finish alongside wet stones. There's juiciness and tannic structure, and this feels as though it will be lovely to drink in 3-5 years with the oak, acidity and tannins to age. Very good.

Vibrant, fresh, lifted, almost high-pitched red fruits, along with flowers, mint leaf, tobacco, cedar and spice nuances pop in the perfume, and carry through from the mid-palate all the way to the elegant, lifted, salty-edged fruits on the finish. The wine is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2025–2045.

Dark ruby garnet colour with purple reflections, subtle ochre rim. Fresh red heart cherries, some cassis, mandarin zest, a delicate hint of orange marmalade, inviting bouquet. Juicy, medium complexity, fresh, with nuances of red berries, mineral, a lively, stimulating style, will continue to develop.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc) Velvety, creamy, fruity, fresh bouquet, cassis cream, licorice, dark tobacco, mint. Balanced, full palate with creamy, dense, creamy fruit, fine tannins, delicately opulent structure, varied, powerful, sweet aromatics, and a long, creamy, fresh finish.

(64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc) Silky, creamy, fruity, fresh bouquet: cassis cream, licorice, dark tobacco, mint. Balanced, full palate with creamy, dense fruit, fine tannins, a delicately opulent structure, varied, powerful, sweet aromatics, long, creamy, fresh finish. 18/20 2028 - 2055

Spiced rosemary and crushed rose petals on the nose; this is enjoyable, with austerity but also finesse, and it lives up to the En Primeur promise. Expect a drinking window of five to ten years from here. Lorenzetti family owners, Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen. 3.68 pH, 62 IPT. 12% press wine in the blend. Harvest from September 4 to October 5. 60% new oak.

The 2021 Pedesclaux is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps from the glass with bright, youthful scents of crushed redcurrants and black raspberries, followed by touches of cedar, graphite, and dried herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate is filled with crunchy red and black fruits, with lightly chewy tannins and a lifted finish.

Floral and elegant on the nose, with notes of dried roses and spring flowers (lily of the valley), then very fresh on the palate, with a pronounced acidity.

Dark, intense and beautiful color. Very aromatic nose with fresh fruit. Floral. Delicate on the attack, juicy mid-palate, very flavorful; the wine caresses the palate and offers a suave presence between the mid-palate and the finish, where it rises and lengthens with particularly aromatic persistence. A lovely structure. Blend: 64% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 6% cabernet franc, 3% petit verdot. Alcohol: 12.97% – pH: 3.71. IPT: 59. Proportion of the grand vin: 58% of the harvest. Estate on the rise.

Within its appellation, it offers a crisp, gentle take on the vintage. The attack is brilliant, the whole is refreshing—a rare occurrence among our panel. A complete palette, from violet to licorice-like anise, evanescent tannins, subtle eucalyptus notes, an airy texture, and a juicy, harmonious feel throughout the tasting.

The 2021 Château Pédesclaux is solid, even outstanding, with classic Pauillac notes of graphite and lead pencil supported by beautiful cassis-driven fruit. Medium-bodied, elegant, and balanced, it has fine tannins, reasonable mid-palate depth, and a good finish. Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it's well-made, has terrific purity of fruit, and I love its overall balance. It's going to benefit from just a few years of bottle age and should drink nicely for 10-15 years if well stored.

Very Pauillac in style, Pédesclaux is defined by its precision. The élevage is evident, yet supportive and beneficial, allowing space for nuances of elderberry, blackberry and licorice. Lively on the attack, the wine offers fine-grained tannins that provide some breadth. The progression is linear and harmonious, finishing with a persistent finale enhanced by a fine austerity. Pédesclaux is forging its path and manages to position itself convincingly in a challenging vintage.