Pezat Bordeaux Superieur Reserve 2014

The kernel for Pezat is a vineyard planted literally a pace outside of the Saint Emilion Appellation – towards the river from Château Teyssier near to Branne. Previously this large vineyard consisted of high trellised vines planted 3 metres apart – the norm in Entre-des-Mers where grapes are machine picked. Planting down the middle of the rows gave the same density as a vineyard in Saint Emilion.

Additionally, on the original vines, a sucker-per-vine was allowed to grow. At which stage the original vine was cut off, almost halving the height of the vines down to what one would expect from a hand-picked vineyard in Saint Emilion. The vines are now pruned on the ‘double guyot’ system. The secondary shoots are removed and the vines deleafed and bunch-thined. The grapes are handpicked and vinified as the other wines of the Chateau – to the standard of a Saint Emilion Grand Cru.

Lovely nose here with orange rind, mushrooms and hints of licorice. Juicy and round with silky tannins and a bright finish. Drink now.