Château de Pez 2022

The depth and fruity framework of a Saint-Estèphe red wine

The estate

Dating back to the 15th century, Château de Pez is one of the oldest estates in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. Once owned by the de Pontac family, founders of Château Haut-Brion, this estate on Bordeaux’s Left Bank was sold as national property during the French Revolution. Château de Pez has been owned by the Louis Roederer Champagne House since 1995.

The vineyard

Château de Pez is a Saint-Estèphe wine made from 42 hectares of vines, 38 of which are in production. The vines are on average 25 years old and are planted on gravelly hilltops with a clay-limestone subsoil. Certified HVE (High Environmental Value) level 3, the vineyard is managed in a sustainable manner.

The vintage

2022 began with a relatively dry and mild winter, with above-seasonal temperatures in February and March. The vines budded early at the beginning of April, followed by several consecutive nights of frost protection. Spring was warm and dry overall, despite hail storms and heavy rainfall in June. A heatwave and drought set in in July. The meagre water resources provided by the two storms in mid-August were conducive to the ripening of the grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

The harvested grapes are vinified on a plot-by-plot basis in temperature-controlled wooden vats and stainless steel truncated-cone vats. 13% press wine is used. The wine is aged for 15 months in barrels (50% new).

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (59%)
Merlot (38%)
Cabernet Franc (2%)
Petit Verdot (1%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château de Pez 2022

Tasting

Nose
A nose of cedar and gunflint. There are fruity fragrances of raspberry and blackcurrant. The nose also reveals a bouquet of liquorice combined with spicy notes, notably cinnamon.

Palate
Full-bodied and mouth-watering, with notes of zan licorice confectionary and black cherry. Fine tannins combine with a long finish.