Country: France Region: Bordeaux (Saint Estephe) Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot Vintage: 2005 Colour:Red Style:Dry Producer:Chateau de Pez Description: One of the many estates on the Pez plateau in Saint-Estèphe, this property is at the top of its game. Owned by the same proprietors as Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, the wine has structure, big tannins as well as dense black fruits. The Château de Pez winery remains resolutely faithful to wood. It exhibits deep colour and harmonious composition. This complete, rich, dense wine merits prolonged ageing. Thanks to the quality of its production, Château de Pez is counted among the most highly reputed crus of the Médoc.  In her recent Financial Times article Jancis Robinson stated 'Some tasters found the tannins of the St-Estèphes a bit much, but I absolutely loved them' A sure sign the Chateau de Pez is built for ageing over the next 10 - 20 years. Tasting Note: Appearance Cherry red, medium-high colour intensity, showing a bit of age on the rim and some legs in the glass. Nose Fresh, with hints of dark fruit. Very elegant oak reminiscent of nail heads, bitter cocoa, spices, roasted and liquorice notes. Hints of old leather slowly emerge from the background. Typical of its origins. Palate Intense, very full and well balanced. The wine repeats the complex dark fruit notes, combined with more balsamic type touches, and the other aromas detected on the nose, confirming the use of oak. It doesn’t disappoint. Elegant, spicy finish. Comment Absolutely no catches to this fine Cru Bourgeois. Honest, accessible, delicious and very Bordeaux. Its origin is easy to ascertain from the aromatic style and above all from the hints of cedar, spice and fine cocoas. It has been aged for around 18 months or so and the split between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is fairly even. Chateau de Pez is often recognized for its sheer quality and its well honed price. It is a wine that shows remarkable maturity which softens the seemingly external hardness without sacrificing any of its freshness. It can benefit from a few more years in bottle but is looking good now. Poultry and feathered game dishes such as stewed partridge, roasted free range chicken or confit of goose are perfect for the style of wine. Food Matches:Beef / Casseroles / Turkey / Soft Cheese