Tasting two 2016 Bordeaux side by side. Ch de Sales and Ch de Pez
Overview
Château de Sales is the largest estate in the Pomerol appellation and has been owned by the same family for more than five hundred years. Located 35 km east of Bordeaux, the vineyard of Château de Sales is situated in the northwestern part of the Pomerol appellation.
The soils of Château de Sales are comprised of fine gravel and sand, with clay in some areas and an omnipresence of iron oxide, known locally as “crasse de fer”.
Winemaking
The vineyard of Château de Sales has a surface area of over 200 acres, with vines covering 116 acres. The vines are an average of more than 30 years old. The grape varieties planted here are typical of this appellation: 71.5% Merlot, 13.5% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The soils of Château de Sales are comprised of fine gravel and sand, with clay in some areas and an omnipresence of iron oxide. Traditional growing methods are applied, as well as supervised control in order to reduce vine treatments (gender confusion, for instance, to avoid using insecticides) and ensure a harvest of healthy, ripe grapes. After de-stemming and crushing, alcoholic fermentation takes place in concrete tanks equipped with temperature regulation. The wine is then aged for 12-18 months in French oak barrels, of which only one third are new, in order to avoid any aggressive wood flavors and to preserve the brightness of the fruit.
Varietals: 82% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aging: 12-18 months in French oak barrels (1/3 new)
Wine Enthusiast
93 POINTS
August 1, 2020, Roger Voss
“Still maturing, this wine shows ripe black fruits as well as a lower layer of tannins. Concentration, spice and smokiness are part of a harmonious, balanced wine, full bodied and with a good future. Drink from 2021.”
Decanter
90 POINTS
March 1, 2020, Jane Anson
“Smoky cedar, nutty oak and ripe strawberries over silky, soft textured tannins and an attractive toffee caramel finish.”
Overview
Founded in the 15th century, Pez is the oldest domaine in Saint-Estèphe. The Pontac family, then-owners of Château Haut-Brion, gave Pez its vineyards. The property remained in the hands of descendants until the French Revolution. Sold as a property of the state, the domaine belonged to a succession of families until 1995, when it was purchased by Champagne Louis Roederer.
Château de Pez is one of the oldest properties in Bordeaux’s Left Bank and consists of 118 continuous acres with 103 acres planted to prime grape varieties, mainly merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Thanks to the quality of its production, Château de Pez is counted among the most highly reputed crus of the Médoc and was reclassified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 2003.
Winemaking
Château de Pez remains resolutely faithful to wood. The blend is composed in December, and 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. It is to be noted that the wine undergoes absolutely no filtration.
Tasting Notes
The bouquet of this wine expresses notes of blackcurrant, cherry and liquorice as well as a hint of minerals. Rich and complex, this wine maintains the balance between density and harmony, power and refinement, race and the precision of its tannins.
Varietals: 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc
Harvest Start Date: September 20, 2016
Harvest End Date: October 18, 2016
Soil Composition: Gravel with clay and limestone
Average Vine Age: 25 years
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As always- Life is too short to drink bad wine