Chateau Pedesclaux 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "There is a really pretty, powdery-tannin texture to this, with dark-berry and currant character. Some orange peel, too. It’s full and layered with a sense of precision and focus. Framed and open-grained in the texture. Velvety. Real Pauillac personality here. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. May be better than 2022."

WEINWISSER: "70 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc, der Petit Verdot wurde komplett im Zweitwein verwendet, 13.3 Vol.-%. Ausladendes blaubeeriges Bouquet, edle Cassiswürze, betörender Veilchenduft und Heidelbeerdrops. Am saftigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, betörender Extraktfülle, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und trainiertem Körper. Im gebündelten aromatischen Finale ein voller Korb mit Heidelbeeren, Lakritze und feinkörniger Adstringenz."

DECANTER: "Mint and dark chocolate on the nose with bramble fruit. Structured and almost chewy, this has texture and body, more of a serious step up, certainly less lively and fruit forward than second wine Fleur, this is more serious with well-defined tannins, gorgeous minty, blackcurrant Cabernet markers and in-balance acidity. Cool definitely but no hint of greenness - full of ripe fruit. Lots of Pauillac signature but without any harshness or too much tension. There’s a gentle softness that the Merlot gives which calms the expression. Lovely tannins give a powdery, chalky fleshiness around the cheeks and long lifted, minty finish. Feels elegant, precise and focussed. Still tense and a little strict but this is complete and has charm. Longest harvest ever, 17 days instead of 11. 14.5% press. 3.76pH. Ageing 65% new oak."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Dunkle Waldbeeren, feine Cassis, schwarze Kirschen, feine Kräuterwürze, zart nach Nugat, einladendes Bukett. Mittlerer Körper, reife rote Kirschfrucht, feine Tannine, gute Frische, straff, gut anhaftend, mineralisch, zeigt Länge und Potenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers, blackberries, chocolate, and black, red, and blue fruits create the complex aromatic profile. The fruits are as ripe as they are energetic on the palate. The berries are clean, fresh, vibrant, and long, with sweetness, length, and elegance in the fragrant finish. Give it a few years in the cellar, and enjoy it over the following 2 or more decades. The wine is blended using 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. 13% ABV. Harvesting took place September 13 - October 4, making this the longest harvest in the history of Pedesclaux. Drink from 2028-2050."

VINUM: "Nobel im Duft und gut strukturiert am Gaumen, seidiges Tannin, rassige Säure, präzis, ausbalanciert, mit Charme und Länge. Ein ausgezeichneter, saftiger Pédesclaux."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Pedesclaux charges out of the gate with exuberant scents of cassis, wild blueberries, and juicy strawberries giving way to nuances of violets, anise, and charcoal. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with vibrant black and red berry flavors and impressive tension, textured by fine-grained tannins, and finishing with great length and a real skip in its step. 2023 was the longest-ever harvest at Pedesclaux, lasting 17 days instead of the usual 11. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, the ideal blend anticipated when the vineyard was restructured and replanted. It is aging in 65% new oak and the pH is 3.76."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Pedésclaux is the estate's second organic-certified vintage. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it offers up attractive aromas of cassis and dark berries mingled with notions of mint and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with sweet tannins, succulent acids and a rather rich, giving profile."