Réserve Spéciale Pauillac
The vintage
The 2015 vintage was characterised by a rather late bud burst, a quick and uniform flowering which took place under very favourable conditions (low rainfall and above-average temperatures). July was very hot (with a near-heatwave between 30 June and 6 July) and dry (20 mm of rain, like in 2010). August, however, was quite wet (90 mm on average) compared with the past fifteen years. Véraison (end July/beginning August) was quick and uniform. At a Bordeaux level, 2015 is a very good vintage, though marked by a certain lack of uniformity due to the patchy rainfall in August and September.
Location
Pauillac is located 40km North of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Gironde estuary.
Terroir
Pauillac enjoys exceptionnal climatic and geological conditions to make outstanding wines. Three of the five first growth of the 1855 ranking are from this notorious appellation. Sitting on a beautiful gravelly hilltop, its provides the perfect ripening conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, resulting in voluptuous, well-structured wines.
Winemaking
This wine is made using traditional Bordeaux methods, the grapes are destemmed and crushed before being placed in thermoregulated stainless steel vats for fermentation. Fermentation is conducted at 30°C and is followed by three weeks of maceration with regular pumping-over to ensure a gentle extraction of the tannins. After malolactic fermentation, 60% of the wine is transferred into French oak barrels for a period of 12 months.
Tasting
The robe is deep crimson.
Fine, elegant and complex on the nose, dominated by vanilla and cocoa notes. Black berry and spicy notes appear on agitation. The wine is full-bodied on the palate, with the tannins present but silky, and offers a subtle finish: fresh and spicy with hints of menthol.
Alcohol content
12.5
Grapes
Cabernet sauvignon
: 70 %
Merlot
: 30 %