Château Pedesclaux, Pauillac, FR, 2023

For the 2023 vintage of Château Pédesclaux, professional critics were notably positive, with most scores landing in the 93–95 point range and several reviewers calling it one of the estate's strongest recent releases.

Common tasting themes

Across reviews, critics repeatedly highlighted:

• Classic Pauillac cassis and blackcurrant fruit.
• Freshness and energy rather than sheer power.
• Refined, powdery or chalky tannins.
• Mint, graphite, cedar, and floral notes.
• A significant Cabernet Sauvignon component (70%) supported by Cabernet Franc (10%), giving lift and aromatic complexity.

Notable critic comments

• James Suckling praised its "precision and focus," suggesting it may even rival the estate's acclaimed 2022.
• Antonio Galloni called it "one of the best wines I have tasted here in some time, maybe ever," emphasizing balance and vibrancy.
• Decanter highlighted the wine's combination of Pauillac structure with elegance and accessibility, noting long minty, blackcurrant-driven finishes.
• Jane Anson described sculpted cassis, bilberry, graphite and freshness, viewing the château as continuing its upward trajectory.

Drinking window

Most reviewers suggest waiting until about 2027–2030 for the wine to begin showing its full complexity, with a likely drinking plateau extending into the 2040s.

James Suckling

Vinous Media