2022 Château de Pez Saint-Estèphe

Origin: Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot (blend per vintage may vary slightly)
Style: Red – powerful, structured, ripe and classic

Château de Pez is one of the oldest estates in Saint-Estèphe, with a history dating back to the 15th century. Owned by the Champagne house Louis Roederer, the château is considered one of the most reliable Cru Bourgeois expressions of the appellation.

The 2022 vintage comes from a warm, dry year, resulting in ripe, concentrated grapes with powerful expression and deep aromatic intensity. The wine is vinified traditionally, with maturation in French oak barrels, some of which are new, to give structure and complexity. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 59% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

In the glass, this Saint-Estèphe shows a deep, dark red color. The nose opens with aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries and plums, supported by notes of cedar, graphite, cloves and a hint of cocoa. In the mouth, the wine is powerful, with a solid structure of ripe tannins, lively acidity and a long, mineral finish. The typical robustness of Saint-Estèphe is beautifully balanced in this vintage by roundness and fruity fullness. According to Parker, this wine was one of the best wines of the 2022 vintage from a Price/quality point of view: " It is part of « The Bargain of the vintage ” by Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Ratings: 92-93 James Suckling, 90-92 Wine Advocate, 91-93 Vinous (A. Galloni), 92-93 Vinous (N. Martin), 94 Jane Anson, 94 Decanter, 91-93+ The Wine Independent (L. Perrotti-Brown), 93 Falstaff Magazine, 17.5 WeinWisser, 92-94 Wine Cellar Insider (Jeff Leve), 92-94 Alexandre Ma, 93-95 Jeb Dunnuck

This is a wine with great ageing potential , but even in its youth it is impressively accessible when served well.

Wine and food pairings

With its firm structure, ripe fruit and wood-aged complexity, the Château de Pez 2022 is best paired with dishes that have depth, concentration and a savoury base. Here are some suitable pairings:

Grilled or roasted red meat
Grilled beef, entrecote with herb butter, côte de boeuf or tenderloin with a red wine sauce. The tannins of the wine bind to the protein and fat of the meat, which ensures a harmonious experience.

Game dishes or stews
Hare stew, venison with juniper sauce or wild boar stew bring out the earthy and spicy character of the wine. The wine offers structure and length that matches the intensity of game meat.

Lamb with Provencal herbs
Roasted lamb leg with rosemary or grilled lamb chops complement the spicy and slightly smoky notes of the wine. The combination emphasizes the classic Bordeaux style.

Dishes with mushrooms or truffles
Risotto with porcini mushrooms, stuffed portobello mushrooms or dishes with truffle cream form a natural harmony with the earthy and mineral accents in the wine.

Medium to hard cheeses
Cheeses such as Comté, Tomme de Savoie, Cantal or old Gouda provide sufficient structure and saltiness to nicely balance the fruit and tannins of the wine.