Château Picque Caillou Blanc, Pessac Léognan, 2021
As ever Sauvignon Blanc dominated (90% with the 10% balance made up of Semillon). Pique Caillou is perennially one of the bargain whites of Bordeaux. Cropped much lower (33 hl/ha) than its reasonable price tag suggests this offers tremendous purity, vim and vigour. Racy but even-keeled this boasts a seamless, lively palate that bristles with grapefruit, Sicilian lemon, lime zest and alpine herb character. Though appealingly breezy and refreshing at first glance, there is more so much more to this than simple, primary fruit. A great effort. Aged for 7 months sur lie in 25% new barriques.
critic reviews
Isabelle and Paulin Calvet are owners at this charming estate, less well known than many Pessacs but with real charm. It has performed well in 2021, and is already at a great moment to drink, with soft white flowers, gentle lemon peel and stone fruits, licked with sage herbs and salted cracker. No need to wait, and will deliver for next three to five years.
The 2021 Picque Caillou Blanc has a fresh and lively nose with yellow plum, Conference pear and grapefruit scents that have a bit of "zip" about them. The palate is sharp on the entry with a potent sour lemon and orange rind note. It’s maybe just a little shrill toward the finish, with modest length. This simple but effective Pessac-Léognan might work best partnered with fruits de mer.
No tasting notes available
Notes of crisp orchard fruit, pastry cream and pink grapefruit introduce the Picque-Caillou 2021 Blanc, a medium-bodied, taut and racy wine that concludes with a saline finish.