Pédesclaux

History of Château Pédesclaux

Founded in 1810 by Pierre-Urbain Pédesclaux, a wine broker in Bordeaux, the estate experienced a rapid ascent in the wine world. Barely a few decades after its creation, it was classified as a Fifth Growth during the famous 1855 classification, thus joining the elite of Médoc wines.

The estate then passed through several hands, moving from the Pédesclaux family to Gabriel de Gastebois in 1891, then to Lucien Jugla, who became the owner in 1951 after managing it since 1930. Despite efforts to preserve its reputation, the quality of the wines had somewhat waned until 2009, when Jacky Lorenzetti, founder of Foncia, acquired the property. Lorenzetti, with the help of Emmanuel Cruse and Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen, undertook a complete restructuring of the vineyard and facilities. Thanks to this transformation, Château Pédesclaux regained its former prestige and once again ranks among the references of Pauillac.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Pédesclaux

The Château Pédesclaux vineyard spans nearly 50 hectares on the left bank, in an exceptional terroir that gives its wines their typicity and complexity. It is situated on Garonne gravel soils, resting on a clay-limestone subsoil. These geological characteristics favour excellent water regulation and optimal grape ripeness, giving birth to wines of great depth.

The grape varieties present in the vineyard are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), followed by Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (7%), and Petit Verdot (3%). This grape variety composition has been carefully rebalanced to highlight the power and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon while retaining the elegance and suppleness of Merlot. The diversity of grape varieties, combined with the mosaic of terroirs, allows for the production of complex, powerful wines of great finesse.

Committed to sustainable viticulture, Château Pédesclaux began its conversion to organic farming in 2019. Today, 100% of the plots are cultivated organically, ensuring total respect for the surrounding ecosystem. The estate also practices biodynamics on certain plots, with particular attention paid to the microbiological life of the soils, thus promoting an optimal natural balance for the vine.

Vinification at Château Pédesclaux

The vinification process at Château Pédesclaux is at the cutting edge of modernity, while remaining faithful to Bordeaux winemaking traditions. In 2014, a new winery, designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, was built. This 100% gravity-fed winery allows for gentle handling of the grapes, thus preserving the integrity of the berries and tannins.

The harvest, entirely manual, is followed by meticulous sorting of the bunches and berries, ensuring that only the best grapes are used for vinification. A pre-fermentation cold maceration is carried out to extract the finest aromas and silkiest tannins. Fermentation takes place in truncated cone-shaped stainless steel vats, each adapted to the size of the plots, allowing for precise plot-by-plot vinification. This tailored approach allows for capturing all the diversity of Pédesclaux's terroirs.

The wine is then aged for 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels, 60% of which are new each year. This care in ageing gives Château Pédesclaux wines remarkable aromatic complexity and tannic structure, offering exceptional ageing potential.

The Cuvées of Château Pédesclaux

Château Pédesclaux

The estate's main cuvée embodies the quintessence of Pauillac. It is distinguished by its aromatic complexity, combining power and elegance. Château Pédesclaux is often described as a rich, dense, but always balanced wine. On the nose, intense aromas of blackcurrant, violet, and cigar box unfold, while on the palate, the tannic structure is both firm and silky. The finish is long, persistent, with a freshness typical of great Pauillac wines. This wine benefits from a formidable ageing potential, evolving beautifully over time.

Fleur de Pédesclaux

The estate's second wine, Fleur de Pédesclaux, is more accessible in its youth. Made mainly from Merlot (36%), it offers a softer and more indulgent style. Aromas of crisp red fruits and white flowers dominate the nose, while the palate is supple, fruity, and fresh. The tannins are perfectly integrated, making this wine immediately pleasant to taste. Fleur de Pédesclaux is a wine that charms with its elegance and conviviality, perfect for festive occasions or meals with friends.

La Rose de Pédesclaux

La Rose de Pédesclaux is the estate's third wine, produced from vines located in the Haut-Médoc appellation. This wine is crafted to offer a lighter and fruitier expression of the terroir, with a dominance of Merlot. It is a wine of pleasure, with a nice freshness and floral and fruity aromas, ideal for more immediate consumption.

Pauillac, one of the most prestigious appellations in the Médoc, ranks among the great Bordeaux wines, with remarkable vintages that have made history. Among the finest vintages are those from 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. The years 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2005 also stand out for their richness and power. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 have confirmed Pauillac's exceptional potential, offering wines that are both elegant and powerful, perfect for long-term cellaring.

The Fifth Classified Growths offer a beautiful diversity of properties in the Médoc, testifying to Bordeaux's winemaking expertise. In Pauillac, one finds renowned estates such as Château d'Armailhac, Château Batailley, Château Clerc Milon, Château Croizet-Bages, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Lynch-Moussas, Château Pedesclaux, and Château Pontet-Canet. In the Haut-Médoc, Château Camensac and Château Cantemerle stand out with their own characteristics. In Margaux, Château Dauzac and Château du Tertre bring a touch of elegance, while Château Cos Labory from Saint-Estèphe completes this prestigious selection. Each of these estates reflects a unique facet of the Bordeaux terroir.

Château Pédesclaux is an estate in full renaissance, driven by the vision and commitment of the Lorenzetti family. Thanks to modern and environmentally respectful management, this Fifth Classified Growth of Pauillac now asserts itself as an essential reference, combining tradition, innovation, and excellence. The wines of Château Pédesclaux, whether the grand vin or its secondary cuvées, offer remarkable diversity and quality, meeting the expectations of Bordeaux fine wine enthusiasts. Buying Château Pédesclaux wines means acquiring a part of Pauillac's winemaking history, while investing in exceptional wines with promising ageing potential.