At the heart of the rolling landscape of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, the Château Panet 2022 embodies the luminous grace of a classic Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, conceived as much for the table as for cellaring. Produced by Vignobles Carles, this wine crosses time with calm assurance, carried by the finesse of the right-bank king grape, Merlot, and the eloquence of Cabernet Franc. It is intended for lovers who seek balance above all, that point of harmony where the fruit keeps its brightness, where the material unfolds without show, where the oak remains in the background. For those who want to put together a composed dinner, for those who wish to offer a gift that conveys a vision of the French art of living, this cuvée signs a stylish vintage: precise, generous and distinguished. The clay-limestone soils of the Saint-Emilion plateau sculpt a polished structure and benevolent freshness, while mature vines provide measured concentration, favouring correctness over display. The result is a wine for conversation, a companion that listens to dishes and elevates them, while keeping the nobility of a long, restrained finish.

Blend and winemaking

In the line of great right-bank Bordeaux, the 2022 blend rests mainly on Merlot, completed by Cabernet Franc for backbone and structure. Harvesting is carried out by hand to preserve the integrity of the berries. Fermentations take place primarily in concrete tanks, a choice that enhances fruit purity and precision of extraction. The ageing, lasting around 12 months in French oak barrels, uses a measured proportion of new oak, most barrels being first- and second-fill. This approach yields a fine, discreet oak that supports without masking, revealing a silky texture and tasty relief.

Tasting notes

• Colour : Deep, concentrated red with bright reflections that betray the radiant ripeness of the vintage. Its shine invites contemplation, promising a caressing substance and nuanced density.
• Nose : An expressive bouquet of red and black fruits where raspberry and black cherry meet juicy plum. A thread of fine herbs and a subtle hint of leather mix with elegant oak evoking light vanilla, blond tobacco and polished oak. The whole breathes precision, with a mineral touch that refines the profile.
• Palate : Soft entry then a rise in intensity, from medium to full body. The tannins, ripe and delicately grainy, draw a silky architecture. Freshness supports the fruit through to a persistent finish, threaded with sweet spices and small black fruits, with a subtle saline linger that adds length.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve the Château Panet 2022 between 16 and 18°C in Bordeaux-style wine glasses to highlight the depth of the bouquet and the texture of the tannins. In its youth, a decanting of around 1 hour helps open the aromatic palette and soften the frame. Store bottles calmly, away from light, between 12 and 14°C, with controlled humidity. Cellaring potential is around 6 to 10 years, with a peak estimated between 2028 and 2032 depending on storage conditions. This evolution will bring more complexity, notes of forest floor and an ever more velvety palate.

Food pairings

• Red meats : grilled rib-eye, roast rack of lamb, lightly smoked duck breast. Succulent meat underlines the wine's silky thread.
• Slow-cooked dishes : Provençal daube, beef bourguignon, herb-confit lamb. Concentrated jus converse with the black fruit and sweet spices.
• Roast poultry : guinea fowl with thyme, free-range chicken with mushrooms. The juicy centre meets the 2022's freshness.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, Cantal, well-matured tommes. The creamy texture embraces the polished tannins.
• Gourmet vegetable dishes : porcini risotto, confit aubergines, herbed polenta. The wine's spicy dimension highlights the sweetness of the textures.

Occasions

Château Panet 2022 is an inspired companion:

• For a shared dinner where conversation and dishes find their proper rhythm.
• During a gastronomic menu where each course calls for a precise response from the glass.
• As a carefully chosen gift for a lover of balanced, expressive Bordeaux.

Characteristics

• Name : Château Panet 2022
• Appellation : Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC
• Type : Red wine
• Vintage : 2022
• Grape varieties : Merlot majority, Cabernet Franc
• Terroir : clay to clay-limestone soils of the Saint-Emilion plateau
• Commune : Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes
• Harvest : manual
• Winemaking : fermentations mainly in concrete tanks
• Ageing : 12 months in French oak barrels with measured oak influence
• Serving temperature : 16 to 18°C
• Cellaring : around 6 to 10 years, peak estimated 2028 to 2032
• Producer : Vignobles Carles
• Estate production : approximately 26 000 bottles per year