Chateau Picard2011

RED WINE

Ageing

Between 12 and 18 months in oak barrels, with 35% new barrels.

Description

Chateau Picard, (located in the centre of Saint-Estephe), was classified a cru bourgeois in 1932, and has always been considered one of the best wines in the appellation. This is the most recent vineyard purchased by Mahler-Besse (1997). The 8-hectare estate was chosen for its considerable potential and medium-sized area, making it easier to oversee production. Once they bought Chateau Picard, Mahler-Besse renovated the Napoléon III-style cellars and installed efficient winemaking equipment, incorporating gravity flow. The exceptional soil is clayey for the most part, which is quite typical of Saint-Estephe. It is also full of fossilised cockleshells and sea urchins. Chateau Picard is mostly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is subtly smoky and spicy. It is definitely high-class, and easy to identify because of its unusual label showing two flamingos standing on one leg, wings outstretched.

Harvesting

By hand with successive punching.

Winery Technical Data

Area: 8 hectares.
Density: 9,000 vines per hectare.
Annual production: 45,000 bottles.
Grape varieties: 15% Merlot, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Soil: ancient sands on gravel.
Cultivation: Traditional methods, double Guyot pruning.

Tasting notes

Dark purple colour. Delicately smoky and spicy nose. Elegant and well-balanced flavours. A bourgeois of great class.

Vinification

In recently refurbished cellars with most modern equipment. After fermentation, the wine is left to macerate on the skins during 15 to 20 days for maximum extraction of colour, aroma and tannin.

Food matches

Red meat, dishes with a sauce and cheeses.