2005 Chateau Pedesclaux Pauillac | 🇫🇷

Craving an aged left bank to go with yet another homemade steak, I chose this bottle after having drank a relatively disappointing Croizet-Bages a few weeks back, knowing Pauillac couldn't let me down twice. Chateau Pedesclaux is located right off the Gironde, east of the tiny village of Le Pouyalet – but very close to its more well-esteemed neighbors of Pontet-Canet, Clerc Milon, and of course the Rothschild properties. While a fifth growth, my reading shows that it’s under new ownership in 2009 when the quality of the wines started to improve drastically – however, I went mainly off the quality of the vintage & producer recognition here. Purchased at Flatiron Wines NY for $50, right at my target point for producer, vintage, age, & price. Paired with a grilled sirloin steak and salad. Stored at 55, popped and poured to start, decided not to decant and just let the bottle air out while I enjoyed it over 3-4 hours.

Visually, not even the slightest hint of bricking at the edges, still a very deep red color at its age. Intact cork removal with an Ah-so. Impeccable provenance to my eyes, looking at the condition of the cork, capsule, label, and fill level.

On the nose, plenty of strong black fruit to start – blackcurrant, blackberry, a blatant plum note. As it warms, the oaky notes emerge – cedar, vanilla, a wonderful bit of mocha, the sensation of sweetness. Further in the glass, smoke & 90s #2 pencil lead. After two hours, the baking spices and baked goods notes take center stage, with the fruits still quite present in the background – the exact flavor profile I chase! Wonderfully complex, with barely any tertiary notes.

On the palate, I thought the wine to be just structurally perfect. Wonderfully integrated very fine tannins that coated the mouth, with an undetectable 13% alcohol – on the bold side of medium bodied, with plenty of strong acidity present to cut through my steak pairing. This felt wholly in its prime, with plenty of years to go at this balanced peak of notes & components. Flavors of pastries & black fruits in a lengthy finish.

These are exactly the kind of Bordeaux wines I chase. A fantastic vintage, from a quality producer, at that 15-25 year window that has a chokehold on me, and right at my $50 price point. Couldn't have been happier with the bottle, my one regret was buying just one. Regrettably, my only remaining Pauillac is a 2019 d'Armailhac that's still a few years away from me opening it!