Château Picque Caillou, Pessac Léognan, 2020
Pauline Calvet's Picque Caillou is a perennial favourite of ours. Situated between Haut Brion and Merignac airport, this chateau makes a habit of outclassing far more illustrious names from the Pessac commune. Produced from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot and aged in 40% new oak barrels the 2020 boasts an admirable core of fruit. Lots of concentration, layers of pure, refined cassis, culminating with velvety tannins and good length of fruit. Pauline believes the 2020 has exceptional aging potential.
critic reviews
The 2020 Picque Caillou Rouge is deep purple-black in color. Notes of juicy black plums, blackberry pie, and fruitcake come skipping out of the glass, giving way to scents of cinnamon toast, lilacs, and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate is chock full of blue and black fruit preserves flavors, supported by soft tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and fragrant. In a word: delicious!
Sleek, understated, plenty of redcurrant and raspberry fruit, acidity a lttle pronounced, softened by smoked chocolate and tar notes. There is Pessac-Léognan signature, improved over ageing but I would give it a little longer. 40hl/ha yield, 40% new oak for ageing.
The 2020 Picque Caillou remains a little herbaceous on the nose that overall just comes across slight underpowered. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly green tannins, quite peppery but it needs more cohesion and fruit intensity on the finish. Could be better.
Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Picque-Caillou shoots from the glass with a very focused and pure perfume of black cherries, fresh blackberries and lilacs, followed by hints of tapenade, garrigue and tilled soil. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers great intensity and freshness, delivering loads of crunchy black fruit and a fine-grained texture, finishing long and lively.