Château Pey La Tour - Réserve Vieilles Vignes

After a cool winter, bud burst came early, with the first sign of green emerging 31 March. Even growth was followed at the end of May by flowering amid favourable weather conditions. The favourable early beginnings continued with a hot and dry summer, facilitating healthy conditions in the vineyard throughout the year. In this mature vineyard, the vines are well-established on clay-limestone soils, and did not suffer from lack of water during the first half of summer. After the rain at the start of August, veraison went well. The grapes were in pristine condition, and we started harvesting in ideal conditions, almost 10 days ahead of schedule, spreading the harvest over 3 weeks to allow the latest ripening grapes to reach perfect maturity.

Deep and concentrated in appearance. Intense notes of black cherries, ripe fruits and spice define the wine on the bouquet. Generous on the attack, the silky wine coats the palate and reveals good structure. Delicately integrated oak, accompanies the savoury, lingering finish of this impressive, concentrated and fleshy Pey La Tour Réserve Vieilles Vignes.

88% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot

After a promising start to the year, a dull, gloomy summer meant ripening got off to a slow start. Any worries were lifted towards the end of August with the arrival of exceptional, lasting weather conditions. While the quality of the vintage owes a great deal to the excellent late-season, a vintage of this quality would not be possible without considerable work in the vineyards earlier in the season to ensure pristine quality in the vines and stunning fruit. The Indian summer set in for the long haul in early September, creating optimum conditions for the predominant Merlot to ripen under its own steam, followed by the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Harvesting began October 2nd and remained entirely stress-free, coming to a close October 23rd in ideal weather conditions, creating fruit character, concentration and balance in the different parcels.

“Concentrated and bright in appearance. Intensely fruity on the nose, offering delicately spiced notes, and leading up to the full-bodied, all-encompassing palate, where fresh dark fruits are lifted by appealing freshness and evident, yet silky, tannins. Lovely lingering finish characterised by fruit, spice and the odd lingering tannic note that will soon soften.” (June 2016)

Frédéric Bonnaffous, Vignobles Dourthe Director

88% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot

5% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 85% Merlot

Very ripe on the nose, fleshy and wonderfully intense, revealing roasted, mocha notes. The wine is generous on the palate, well-balanced, with fine and rounded tannins which are evident but not at all aggressive. The wine is concentrated with a hint of freshness on the finish.

90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc

Dark purple in appearance. The intense, fresh, red fruit aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry characterize the delicately oaked bouquet. The wine is fleshy on the palate and the aromas on the nose increase in intensity, whilst the structure is immediately noticeable. The effect rises like a crescendo and the flavors blend together, the acidity and alcohol form a perfect balance, and the aromas and delicate tannins integrate to perfection. Red fruit notes accompany the wine’s long finish. A great vintage, extremely elegant.

2% Petit Verdot, 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc