Château Pedesclaux 5th Cru Classé Pauillac 2016 – powerful and aristocratic Pauillac from a great vintage

Château Pedesclaux 2016 is an impressive 5. Cru Classé from Pauillac – a vintage already written into the history books of Bordeaux. It’s a classic left bank with depth, structure and ageing potential of the highest order. 2016 combines intense fruit, precise tannin structure and a sleek freshness that makes the wine both monumental and elegant at the same time.

In the glass, the wine is dark and dense with an almost black core. The nose is intense and sophisticated with notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry, flanked by cedar, tobacco, graphite and fine toasted barrel notes. The palate is concentrated and structured with firm, ripe tannins and a nice minerality that is so characteristic of Pauillac. The finish is long, persistent and full of dark fruit and spicy finesse.

Château Pedesclaux 2016 is an ideal wine for beef tenderloin, entrecôte, rack of lamb or game with strong sauces. It can be enjoyed now with decanting, but will develop beautifully over the next 15-25 years under optimal conditions.

Tasting notes

• Color: Deep dark red with an almost black core.
• Aroma: Blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, graphite and elegant barrel spices.
• Flavor: Full-bodied and structured with distinctive, ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long, complex finish with dark fruit and minerality.

The house behind the wine

Château Pedesclaux was founded in 1810 by Pierre Urbain Pedesclaux, who was then working as a wine merchant in Bordeaux. He acquired land from Château Grand-Puy and created the foundation for what later became a classified château in 1855 as the 5th Cru Classé in Pauillac. In 1891, the property was sold to Count Gastebois and after several changes of ownership, it was taken over in 1950 by Lucien Jugla, who restored both buildings and vineyards.

In 1965, Jugla’s five children took over the property and initiated extensive modernization, particularly between 2004 and 2007. In 2009, the château was sold to Jacky Lorenzetti, who also owns Château Lilian Ladouys in Saint-Estèphe. Under his leadership, massive investments have been made in both the cellar and vineyards, and the area has expanded by 12 hectares on the Milon plateau.

Today, the estate has 48 hectares of vineyards planted with 48% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. In the long term, the aim is to increase the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon to further strengthen the classic Pauillac profile. The average age of the vines is around 35 years old, while some parcels contain vines over 65 years old – which contributes to the depth and concentration of the wine.

• Area: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
• Classification: 5th Cru Classé (1855)
• Vintage: 2016
• Grape composition: 48% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
• Quantity: 75 cl
• Contains: Sulfites
• Alcohol content: 13.5%