Classified as a Fifth Growth in 1855, Château Pedesclaux 2016 unfolds in Pauillac with a signature where the uprightness of Cabernet meets the substance of a great vintage. The vineyard, planted on Garonne gravel over a limestone base, covers roughly forty hectares of a terroir that is both well-draining and temperate. The 2016 vintage, bright and controlled, delivered remarkable ripeness, combining concentrated fruit and mineral tension. Each cluster is hand-picked and sorted with jeweller-like care, then brought to the cellar by gravity to preserve the integrity of the grapes. The result, patiently refined in barrels, reads like a major Bordeaux text: deep, precise and destined for lovers seeking true emotion and longevity.

Blend and vinification

Led by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, complemented by touches of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2016 blend celebrates balance between structure and flesh. Berries are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and sorted in the cellar before being gravity-fed into vats, ensuring gentle extraction. A cold soak precedes fermentation to enhance fruit purity and colour depth. The ageing of about 16 months in barrels, nearly 60% new, provides finely chiselled oak integrated in stages to support the structure without overpowering it. This approach, between tradition and modern precision, aims to preserve the sap, polish the tannin grain and draw a clear length, indicating real cellaring potential.

Tasting notes

• Colour : Deep red with violet highlights, clear and dense, announcing concentrated material and great substance.
• Nose : Blackcurrant and blackberry intertwine with notes of pepper, liquorice and graphite flashes, supported by discreet oak and floral nuances.
• Palate : Precise attack, velvety texture, polished and tight tannins. Controlled freshness, intense fruit, long finish with spicy and mineral accents.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve between 16 and 18°C in large-bowled glasses to promote aeration and aromatic expression. An opening 1 to 2 hours before serving, possibly in a decanter, allows the tannins to integrate and the bouquet to unfurl. Store horizontally in a cellar at a stable temperature and away from light. The 2016 vintage has a cellaring potential of 10–15 years, evolving towards cedar, blond tobacco and truffle notes while retaining a core of noble fruit.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : thin slices of cured beef, Comté gougères, mini mushroom puff pastries.
• Starters : knife-cut beef tartare, game terrine, pan-seared foie gras with figs.
• Main courses : grilled rib of beef, Pauillac rack of lamb, wild boar stew, roast duckling with warm spices.
• Cheeses : 24-month Comté, mature mimolette, Cantal entre-deux, blue-veined cheeses.
• Desserts : spiced roasted pear with a dusting of cocoa, square of 70% dark chocolate served lightly sweetened.

Tasting occasions

Château Pedesclaux 2016 stands out as a chosen companion:

• For a connoisseurs' dinner where conversation matches the wine's precision.
• At the heart of a personal cellar that values terroir expression and measured ageing.
• As a gift of esteem for a lover appreciative of the great Pauillac classics.

Characteristics

• Name : Château Pedesclaux 2016
• Appellation : Pauillac AOC
• Type : Red wine, Fine wines
• Vintage : 2016
• Varietals : Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
• Alcohol : approx. 13–13.5%
• Ageing : about 16 months in barrels of which 60% new
• Volume : 75 cl
• Cellaring : 10–15 years
• Serving temperature : 16–18°C
• Allergens : contains sulphites