95-96pts James Suckling
There is a really pretty, powdery-tannin texture to this, with dark-berry and currant character. Some orange peel, too. It’s full and layered with a sense of precision and focus. Framed and open-grained in the texture. Velvety. Real Pauillac personality here. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. May be better than 2022.
94pts Jane Anson
Vibrant violet reflections, great definition on the palate, with a streak of freshness from beginning to end, sculpted cassis and bilberry, crayon and graphite. Pedesclaux going from strength to strength under the new regime. Second vintage certified organic, 17 days of harvesting from September 13 through to October 4, 65% new oak for aging.
94pts Decanter
Mint and dark chocolate on the nose with bramble fruit. Structured and almost chewy, this has texture and body, more of a serious step up, certainly less lively and fruit forward than second wine Fleur, this is more serious with well-defined tannins, gorgeous minty, blackcurrant Cabernet markers and in-balance acidity. Cool definitely but no hint of greenness - full of ripe fruit. Lots of Pauillac signature but without any harshness or too much tension. There’s a gentle softness that the Merlot gives which calms the expression. Lovely tannins give a powdery, chalky fleshiness around the cheeks and long lifted, minty finish. Feels elegant, precise and focussed. Still tense and a little strict but this is complete and has charm. Longest harvest ever, 17 days instead of 11. 14.5% press. 3.76pH. Ageing 65% new oak.
92-94pts Vinous
The 2023 Pédesclaux is one of the best wines I have tasted here in some time, maybe ever. It offers a striking mix of dark ripe fruit and bright acids. My impression is that the extractions are less pushed, which really seems to emphasize vibrancy in the fruit. The 10% Cabernet Franc really lifts the aromatics, but it's the wine's balance and energy that I admire most. Terrific.
-Antonio Galloni
92-94pts The Wine Independent
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Pedesclaux charges out of the gate with exuberant scents of cassis, wild blueberries, and juicy strawberries giving way to nuances of violets, anise, and charcoal. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with vibrant black and red berry flavors and impressive tension, textured by fine-grained tannins, and finishing with great length and a real skip in its step. 2023 was the longest-ever harvest at Pedesclaux, lasting 17 days instead of the usual 11. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, the ideal blend anticipated when the vineyard was restructured and replanted. It is aging in 65% new oak and the pH is 3.76.
90-93pts Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pedésclaux is the estate's second organic-certified vintage. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it offers up attractive aromas of cassis and dark berries mingled with notions of mint and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with sweet tannins, succulent acids and a rather rich, giving profile.
89-91pts Vinous
The 2023 Pédesclaux was picked from September 13th to October 4th and includes the old Cabernet vines. Matured in 65% new oak, it has a comparatively opulent bouquet with perfumed black cherries, violet petals and a hint of licorice. I would like a little more Pauillac DNA to be articulated on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, quite peppery on the entry, with modest depth. Salted licorice and graphite notes emerge toward what feels like a more structured finish. This will require four to five years in bottle. It just needs to develop more personality.
-Neal Martin
Winemaker's Notes
In 2023, it’s all about the Cabernets! Cabernet makes up 80% of the Château Pédesclaux blend, made possible by an extensive Cabernet planting program launched more than a decade ago. This dominance imparts Château Pédesclaux with great complexity and subtle balance. Ultra-precision extraction down to the very last millimetre, the hallmark of our 100% gravity-fed winery, adds freshness anddelicate tannins.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
History
The Chateau Pedesclaux was created in the beginning of the 19 century, in 1810, by Mr Pierre Urbain Pedesclaux, a well-known wine broker of Bordeaux. In 1855, the Chateau Pedesclaux was classified 5° great growth.
In 1891, the Count of Gastebois bought the property. It was the subject of a full reconstruction, which helped to improve the quality of the wines. After the death of Mr. de Gastebois in 1904, the administration of the estate is entrusted to his son-in-law, Count Bernard de Vesins. He bequeathed the property in 1919 to his grandchildren, the Count of Xavier Erceville and Count Michel du Lac. In 1928, the first crusher-de-stalker Médocain COQ brand is used at the Chateau Pedesclaux.
