Chateau Pedesclaux Paulliac 5. Cru Classe 2016

James Suckling

So aromatic with crushed currants, raspberries and blackberries with hints of graphite and lead pencil. Full-bodied and very tight with beautiful tannins and a long, flavorful finish. The tannins really build at the end of the palate. Try from 2024.

Decanter

Jeb Dunnuck

Robert Parker

Tastingbook.com

Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, subtle lightening of the edges, floral bouquet, fresh cassis, a hint of blackberry confit, fresh tangerine zest. Medium-bodied, red berries, fine fruit sweetness, integrated tannins, mineral and persistent, freshly structured food accompaniment

Vinous

Decanter

This is the first vintage in the estate’s history to include four grape varieties – 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc -- in the blend. All the investments in the new cellar and restructuring of the vineyard, which includes organic methods and some biodynamic experiments, are now really paying off in quality. Winemaker Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen is a huge fan of Petit Verdot, which lends freshness, floral aromas, and an elegant spiciness to the mix. Pedesclaux seems to have arrived at its unique personality in this great vintage, tasted in a vertical line up of 2014 to 2018. The amount of Cabernet Sauvignon is increasing, giving the wines more precise structure. What stands out in the 2016 is the combination of freshness, elegance, silky tannins, and almost juicy finish.

Jeb Dunnuck

An estate that’s unquestionably on the upswing, the 2016 Château Pédesclaux is made from 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in 60% new oak. In the past, the wines from this estate have been slightly chunky, but that started to change around 2014, and I think this 2016 is the best yet. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, spicy oak, and a touch of minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied Pauillac, which has fine, polished tannins, a seamless texture, and a great finish. With purity and finesse as well as richness and depth, it’s already reasonably approachable today, but it’s going to evolve for three decades or more.

Robert Parker

The 2016 Pedesclaux is composed of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It aged for 18 months in 60% new and 40% one-year-old French oak. It has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed red and black currants and blackberries with cigar box, new leather, pencil lead and crushed rocks. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and lively with loads of mineral nuances and a lovely earthy finish.

Vinous

The 2016 Pédesclaux has turned out beautifully. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, leather, chocolate, rose petal and dried herbs are all generous in this plump, juicy Pauillac. Medium in body, expressive and racy, Pédesclaux is a super appealing, modern Pauillac with soft curves and tons of immediacy.

Tastingbook.com