Château Pédesclaux 2017

A fresh, unadorned style, with red currant, pomegranate and bitter cherry fruit flavors giving this a racy, slightly high-pitched feel up front. Shows a solid graphite edge through the fruit, revealing a good tug of earth at the very end, with lingering tobacco and chestnut echoes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2038. 15,000 cases made.

Not so showy on the nose – quite restrained. Appealing, subtle floral aromatics of violet/rose petal. Soft and pleasing on the palate with similar concentration to 2014. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc (the latter was very good in 2017) combine with fine tannins to give an elegant Pauillac with purity and freshness on the finish. 25% organic, harvested between 18–29 September. 16 months in barrel, 60% new.

Lots of plum and cherry aromas with terracotta and crushed-stone undertones. Full to medium body. Tight and juicy on the palate. Round, firm tannins, yet really spicy and flavorful. Cloves and nutmeg. Hints of new oak. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Needs three or four years to come together. Better after 2022.

The nose pops with black currant, tobacco leaf, licorice, cedar, and foresty aromatics. On the palate, the wine shows fresh fruit and creamy tannins. Medium to full-bodied, with plenty of black and red fruits that carry through to the finish, this has both charm and aging potential. The higher percentage of Cabernet adds complexity and character. Made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.25% ABV. The harvest took place from September 18 to September 29.

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening, fresh plums, a hint of blackberries, delicate herbal savouriness, a hint of precious wood. Juicy, fresh cherries, elegant and balanced, fine tannins, delicate fruit sweetness on the finish, lingers well, an elegant food companion.

This estate has been on a roll of late, fashioning outstanding wine after outstanding wine, and the 2017 Chateau Pedesclaux is terrific. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, aged in 40% new oak and representing just 60% of the total production, it reveals a vivid purple hue as well as perfumed notes of cassis, violets, and graphite. Incredibly elegant, balanced, and with silky tannins, it’s a classic Pauillac that’s already approachable yet will evolve for 20 years or more.

Dense purple-garnet. Generous bouquet of wild raspberries and blackcurrant pastilles, followed by violets and black olives. Mid-palate shows a silky texture, wrapped in gorgeous extract sweetness and ultra-soft tannins. The aromatic finish brings a full basket of blue berries, Virginia tobacco, and licorice. This “sex bomb,” enjoyable early on, will get people talking and rightfully earns the higher score.

Kunz barrel sample 18: (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot) Silky, dense, mineral bouquet, cassis, delicate plum notes, graphite, licorice, smoke. Silky, dense, creamy palate with a finely opulent, compact structure, fine tannins, powerful sweet aromatics, generous fruit, and a long, plush finish with sweet afterflavors.

(65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot) Silky, dense, mineral nose, cassis, subtle plum, graphite, licorice, smoke. A silkier, denser, creamier palate with a finely opulent, compact structure, fine tannins, powerful sweet aromatics, lavish fruit, long, plush finish with sweet echoes. 18/20 2023 - 2045

The Pedesclaux 2017 has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It opens with notes of cedar chest and new leather, giving way to a core of cassis and kirsch, plus hints of pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate is firm and chewy with delicately played black fruits and an earthy finish.

For 10 years now, each vintage has allowed the cru to climb one more step. This 2017 should not be overlooked, with a refinement never before achieved by Pédesclaux. A dense, aristocratic wine.

Fruity, intense, juicy wine, with lovely sap, a gourmet, tactile palate, and supple tannins.

Beautiful aromatic expression that highlights Pauillac with subtlety. Nuances of graphite, black berries and liquorice. Dense character on the palate. The wine is perfectly supported by compact, precise and fine tannins. This 2017 has body, power and sapidity, ideally underpinned by the freshness of its acidic structure. An appealing, convincing and persistent wine.

An aromatic wine with a caressing touch that starts a little discreet on the front palate before surprising with its qualities on the finish, where it picks up again. Very enjoyable.

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Pedesclaux is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. The nose reveals a stunning perfume of wilted roses, lilacs and Ceylon tea, over a core of kirsch, raspberry pie and warm blackberries plus touches of garrigue and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, fresh and fragrant in the mouth, it has soft, easy-going tannins and a compelling iron ore note on the finish.

The nose is elegant, delicate and offers a racy minerality. It reveals notes of blackberry, ripe strawberry and, more subtly, violet, combined with small touches of cornflower/blue fruits as well as discreet hints of camphor and caramelization. The palate is fruity, fresh, balanced and offers minerality, good definition and smoothness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy raspberry, fleshy cherry and, more slightly, fleshy blueberry, combined with fine touches of violet and cornflower, as well as discreet hints of licorice stick, cardamom and vanilla. Good length. The tannins are elegant.

93–95. Barrel Sample. This generous wine revels in its ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. It has firm tannins already fully integrated into the ripe blackberry fruit notes. Drink this fine wine from 2024.