Created in the 15th century, Château de Pez is the oldest domain in Saint-Estèphe. The Pontac family, who also created Haut-Brion, gave Pez its vineyards. The domain was sold as a property of the state after the French Revolution and was owned by a succession of families before Champagne Louis Roederer purchased it in 1995.
The Château de Pez estate covers more than 26 hectares. The wines are left to ferment in traditional oak vats before being blended, and left to develop for a period of 16 to 18 months in oak barrels, 40 percent of them new.
The Château de Pez winery remains resolutely faithful to wood. The blend is composed in December, then the wine is stored in barrels (40% new wood, 40% in “premier vin” casks and 20% in “deuxième vin” casks) and racked every three months. Vatting: 22-30 days. It is to be noted that the wine undergoes absolutely no filtration. The wines of Château de Pez have an attractive tannic structure worthy of further ageing. They are sometimes referred to as the ‘Pomerols’ of St-Estèphe, in part due to the smooth roundness brought to the wine by the Merlot vines grown on the exceptional soils. They tend to be dark in colour and have great length, body and distinction and are best appreciated after 5+ years.
Drought, rain, snow, heavy rainfall… The 2012 vintage was characterised by very diverse weather conditions. Following heterogeneous flowering and ripening, a great deal of work in the vineyards was required in order to reach optimum ripeness levels. The harvests were very late and took place in October. The outstanding terroir compensated for the severity of nature over the year. 2012 is a well-balanced, aromatic and very expressive vintage with plenty of freshness. It offers ripe, soft tannins combined with a creamy and fruity expression of the Merlot varietal.
Discreet nose offering red fruits, smoky notes and cold cinders. Rich, mineral palate developing notes of pencil lead and a sweet oakiness on the finish.
Lamb, red meats, cheese, truffle, chocolate.
Serve at room temperature
AOC Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
48% Cabernet Sauvignon
47% Merlot
3% Cabernet Franc
2% Petit Verdot
Natural Cork
13%
No
No
