Chateau De Pez, AOC St Estèphe

Description

Chateau de Pez was created in the 15th century and is the oldest domaine in Saint Estèphe. It is one of the most famous estate in St Estephe.

Chateau de Pez was founded by the Pontac family, who also created Chateau Haut-Brion. The domaine was sold as a property of the state after the French Revolution and owned by a succession of families before it was eventually purchased by Champagne Louis Roederer in 1995. When Louis Roederer bought the property in in 1995 they immediately set about improving the vineyards and cellars. 1996 was the first vintage fully made under the new ownership, and quality has been improving ever since. In the now defunct classification of 2003 Chateau de Pez was classified as one of 9 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels. Today de Pez sits outside of the Cru Bourgeois system and is categorised as a Saint Estephe AC. 6 of the 9 former Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels have joined together as Les Exceptionnels for marketing purposes – these are Château Chasse-Spleen, Château Les Ormes-de-Pez, Château de Pez, Château Potensac, Château Poujeaux and Château Siran.

Chateau de Pez is located west of the town of Saint-Estèphe and is located opposite Chateau Calon Segur. The estate comprises 74 continuous acres, with 64 acres under vine and planted with prime grape varieties, mainly Merlot 48% and Cabernet Sauvignon 45% with some Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 3% and Malbec 1%.

After a manual harvest, the wine is made using traditional vinification methods: destemming, gentle crushing and vatting. The fermentation is for 20 to 30 days on the skins. The wine is eventually aged for 12 to 18 months, depending on vintage, in small oak casks ( 40% in new oak, 40% in one-year old casks and 20% in two-year old casks) and is racked every 3 months. Bottled unfiltered.

Chateau de Pez 2016 is a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 53% Merlot 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.