1.6K
After a very mild winter with abundant rainfall, which led to an early start to the vegetative cycle, the mild, dry and sunny spring brought flowering forward by 15 days. The combination of a mild, wet winter and May led to particularly virulent mildew pressure. Our teams were extremely vigilant in maintaining a perfect state of health in the vineyard, so as to bring the berries to full ripeness. A cool summer slowed growth somewhat, leading to a staggered veraison until mid-August.
Finally, September was an exceptional month, with sunshine 20% above normal, average temperatures 2°C above seasonal values and rainfall equivalent to 25% of normal. This Indian summer enabled the grapes to gain in maturity and concentration. Harvesting began with the Merlot on September 30 and ended with the Cabernets on October 17.
For Château Pédesclaux, 2014 was also the first year in which the technical teams were able to use the brand-new 100% gravity-fed vat room, with total respect for the grapes and the wine! The hand-picked, terroir-selective harvest is collected in small crates, then chilled in a cold room for 24 hours before being transported by elevator to the sorting tables. After selection, the unpressed berries are gently placed in rolling vats, which are then transported to truncated-conical vats adapted to the size of each plot. After a long vatting period, the wine is gravity-filled (60% new barrels and 40% one-wine barrels) for 16 months’ ageing.
Château Pédesclaux 2014 is a blend of 53% Cabernet-sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Deep, intense, almost black in color, it reveals a nose of great complexity, exhibiting smoky, blackcurrant, chocolate and nutmeg notes. With agitation, it gains in intensity, revealing morello cherry and blueberry notes. On the palate, the attack is full-bodied, fat and greedy, with very fine tannins. Complex fruit accompanies the palate, which concludes with notes of milk caramel and freshly roasted cocoa.
Château Pédesclaux 2014 is available from wine merchants for €43.
Cette publication est également disponible en :
