WTN: Château Pédesclaux 2004 (5th Growth, Pauillac)

Château Pédesclaux 2004 5th Growth, Pauillac; 13% abv; 30,60€

This seems to be considered the most obscure and amongst the worst of the classed growth Clarets. I haven't tried other vintages, but this one seems pretty standard Claret to me. It isn't terribly exciting, but it certainly isn't bad either. Upon opening, the nose is of pure blackcurrant leaves and minerals. Unfortunately just an hour in the decanter made the oaky notes come forward.

The palate is lighter than the trend currently seems to be, refreshing, savoury, slightly herbal but ripe enough for my tastes. Pleasantly drying and tannic.

Assuming two things - 1) that I would have more storage space and 2) that buying Bordeaux in Finland wouldn't be highway robbery - I would buy a couple bottles, as the palate was very enjoyable, so I guess the oak on the nose might calm down in a few years.

I think that fruit is the most over-rated aspect of wine. The miracle of wine is that it turns something as pedestrian and frankly boring and uniform as fruit into something genuinely interesting and occasionally even magical. If you don't like this philosophy, don't taste this wine.

-O

[David M. Bueker]

I think that fruit is the most over-rated aspect of wine.

As a dedicated follower of Trimbach CFE, and other mineral driven wines I should have some level of agreement with you, but I don't. Fruit is vital. Wine is made from fruit, and in most wines fruit aromas and flavors play a critical role. The flavors evolve over time, creating different things. It's all a part of the magic.

Other than packaging I can't think of anything in wine that is overrated. Now overhyped is another matter.

Ok, I do agree, over-hyped might be better wording than over-rated.

[David M. Bueker]

Ok, I do agree, over-hyped might be better wording than over-rated.

Well, now that we've settled the big question...

If you don't like this philosophy, don't taste this wine.

I wasn't especially impressed with the lone Pedecsclaux I had (either the '89 or '90, lived up to its underachiever label),not dying to try more, but didn't know Otto was in charge of whether I was allowed to taste wines.

Like David, I'm a fan of a lot of minerally wines that aren't mostly about fruit. But I'll also say that I often love wines (including Bordeaux) that have opulent fruit serving as the base for the secondary and tertiary notes. '83 Cheval, '61 Pape, '70 Ducru, '82 Evangile all have fruit in abundance.

Château Pédesclaux 2004 5th Growth, Pauillac; 13% abv; 30,60€

This seems to be considered the most obscure and amongst the worst of the classed growth Clarets.

It has to be the cheapest by a country mile -Under $30 USD. I kinda think that's the pitch: 'Classed Growth Bordeaux for a song.' They could try to improve quality, charge more, and be lost in a sea of 4th and 5th growths for $50. Sometimes the bottom isn't so bad? For what it's worth I don't find it to be a bad wine, but It might be a good posterchild for reclassification.

Hi.

I used to be or am a lover of Pedesclaux. The responsability of the winery changed in 96/97 and since then they have been doing more modern styled fruity wines, and I have not been impressed. Before they needed ten years but in a good vintage they could rival the best. I remember a blind tasting of 82s in beginning of the 90s with Haut brion and Lafitte where this came out just as good as the first growths. Not to mention how suprisingly good the 81 was. It was extremely artisnal made and traditional with all the negative aspects of traditional there some times, but living, fun and interesting.

Nowdays, for me, it lost its soul but 2001 was Ok and 2005 was, well a 2005.

If you come by older bottles give it a try, at the price it has its worth the chance. Myself, I lament I have only a couple of 90s and 96s left. When they are gone I will miss the one of the most enjoyable old style Bordeaux estates dearly.

Best
Fredrik Svensson

Hi.

I used to be or am a lover of Pedesclaux. The responsability of the winery changed in 96/97 and since then they have been doing more modern styled fruity wines, and I have not been impressed. Before they needed ten years but in a good vintage they could rival the best. I remember a blind tasting of 82s in beginning of the 90s with Haut brion and Lafitte where this came out just as good as the first growths. Not to mention how suprisingly good the 81 was. It was extremely artisnal made and traditional with all the negative aspects of traditional there some times, but living, fun and interesting.

Nowdays, for me, it lost its soul but 2001 was Ok and 2005 was, well a 2005.

If you come by older bottles give it a try, at the price it has its worth the chance. Myself, I lament I have only a couple of 90s and 96s left. When they are gone I will miss the one of the most enjoyable old style Bordeaux estates dearly.

Best
Fredrik Svensson

Fredrik,

Hmmmm... Your blind tasting reference has jogged my memory. I seem to remember something where Decanter did a blind tasting of First Growths with Pedesclaux as the ringer. I think it did well. Did this happen or am I thinking of another 5th Growth?

-Bill