2016 Pedesclaux (Pauillac)

The 2016 Pedesclaux is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, picked between 29 September and 18 October, matured in 60% new oak. It has a tightly-wound bouquet with blackberry and raspberry fruit, a touch of iodine and graphite. I like the subtle nature of this Pedesclaux, the brooding intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, crisp and fresh, a gorgeous salinity and a long and persistent, lightly spiced finish. This leaves the 2015 Pedesclaux far behind. 93-95 points

A property that has been benefitting from new investment in the form of additional, better quality plots and a new cellar that allows far greater precision - I know everyone says this, but in this case they moved from large, old wooden vats to an array of shapes and sizes. Once again in this vintage you see the results of investment, and we have an utterly delicious Pedesclaux on our hands. Well structured, it has walls but the juice runs down them like i n a perfectly filtered underground cavern. Once again it is the stunningly juicy fruit that impresses on the finish, giving a mouthwatering freshness. The blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc - the first vintage in the history of the estate to have all four varieties now that the new plantings have come through. Lots of small berries mean the yield is around 10% up on 2015, to 55hl/ha, without sacrificing concentration. In fact it has more race and concentration than last year, and with a tannin count of 82IPT and 12.5% press wine the apparent delicacy is impressive. 50% new oak, 3.61pH. Get on board with this wine. 94 points