Château Pedesclaux, Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac,

The 2020 Pedesclaux has a deep garnet-purple color. It flies out of the glass with bright, energetic scents of cassis and crushed blackberries, followed by wafts of kirsch, violets, and underbrush. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly styled and refreshing, with fine-grained tannins and a mineral-laced finish.

Matured in 55% new oak, the 2020 Pédesclaux, has a very Cabernet-driven nose as indeed, this Pauillac estate has been gradually moving towards the variety in recent years. Blackberry, freshly-rolled tobacco and light pencil box notes. This is clean and precise. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fresh and fleshy, yet there is backbone here with a gentle but insistent grip towards the smooth finish. Maybe it just needs a little more complexity overall, but this should still drink well for the next two decades.