2021 Pedesclaux

The 2021 Château Pédesclaux is solid, even outstanding, with classic Pauillac notes of graphite and lead pencil supported by beautiful cassis-driven fruit. Medium-bodied, elegant, and balanced, it has fine tannins, reasonable mid-palate depth, and a good finish. Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it's well-made, has terrific purity of fruit, and I love its overall balance. It's going to benefit from just a few years of bottle age and should drink nicely for 10-15 years if well stored.

The 2021 Pédesclaux has retained its marine/estuarine scented bouquet that is well-defined and focused: blackberry, cedar and graphite scents, not amazingly complex but fresh, with no signs of greenness. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit, a little softer than some of its peers—quite a "fluid" Pauillac with an easygoing, lightly spiced finish. It should drink well for up to 20 years.

The 2021 Pédesclaux is a difficult wine to taste. Light in body, it shows limited depth of dark red cherry fruit, mocha, new leather and licorice . This was so much better en primeur.