2017 Château de Pressac, St Emilion, Bordeaux

2017 Château de Pressac, St Emilion, Bordeaux

Product: 20178123464
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2017 Château de Pressac, St Emilion, Bordeaux

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About this WINE

Ch. de Pressac

Ch. de Pressac

Château de Pressac is located in the commune of Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse. Situated on the limestone plateau stretching from Saint-Emilion to Belves-de-Castillon. The Pressac wine estate stands 80m above the level of the Dourdogne river and covers 42 hectares (105 acres).

In 1775, the medieval château was sold by the Sieur d'Anglade to Jean-Marc Constantin, captain of the regiment of Marmande, at which time a vineyard existed. The fortified manor house was renovated several times and it was initially founded in the Middle Ages. Towards the beginning of the Renaissance, it was an imposing building with no less than twenty five towers, some of which remain in existence today as vestiges. 

From 1737 to 1747, Vassal of Montviel planted a noble grape variety originating from the Quercy called the Auxerrois. Many in the neighbourhood did the same and the grape soon became known as the Noir de Pressac. Years later, the Sieur Malbek took it to the Médoc, and the variety took on the name "Malbec".

In 1860, Maximi Josselin bought the estate from the Constantin family and undertook large-scale reconstruction and renovation work on the château and its outbuildings.

In 1997, Jean Francois and Dominique Quenin acquired the property, carrying out for their part substantial improvements and extensions of the vineyard. They have in particular replanted on the steeper slopes, once ploughed by oxen, creating narrow terraces in contour lines. The cellars were completely redesigned and renovated in 1999.

Read our recent article 'The St Emilion Renaissance?' by our Fine Wine Buying Director, Max Lalondrelle, on Berrys' Wine Blog.

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St Émilion

St Émilion

St Émilion is one of Bordeaux's largest producing appellations, producing more wine than Listrac, Moulis, St Estèphe, Pauillac, St Julien and Margaux put together. St Emilion has been producing wine for longer than the Médoc but its lack of accessibility to Bordeaux's port and market-restricted exports to mainland Europe meant the region initially did not enjoy the commercial success that funded the great châteaux of the Left Bank. 

St Émilion itself is the prettiest of Bordeaux's wine towns, perched on top of the steep limestone slopes upon which many of the region's finest vineyards are situated. However, more than half of the appellation's vineyards lie on the plain between the town and the Dordogne River on sandy, alluvial soils with a sprinkling of gravel. 

Further diversity is added by a small, complex gravel bed to the north-east of the region on the border with Pomerol.  Atypically for St Émilion, this allows Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon to prosper and defines the personality of the great wines such as Ch. Cheval Blanc.  

In the early 1990s there was an explosion of experimentation and evolution, leading to the rise of the garagistes, producers of deeply-concentrated wines made in very small quantities and offered at high prices.  The appellation is also surrounded by four satellite appellations, Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin and St. Georges, which enjoy a family similarity but not the complexity of the best wines.

St Émilion was first officially classified in 1954, and is the most meritocratic classification system in Bordeaux, as it is regularly amended. The most recent revision of the classification was in 2012

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Merlot/Cabernet Franc

Merlot/Cabernet Franc

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grape varieties commonly used in Bordeaux-style blends, particularly in the Bordeaux region of France. When these two grapes are blended, they can create a wine that combines the best characteristics of each variety.

Merlot is known for its smoothness, soft tannins, and ripe fruit flavours. It often contributes black cherry, plum, and chocolate flavours to the blend. The grapes are relatively easy to grow and ripen earlier than other Bordeaux varieties, making them versatile for blending.

Cabernet Franc, on the other hand, adds structure, depth, and complexity to the blend. It typically brings aromas of red fruits such as raspberry and strawberry, along with herbal notes like bell pepper and tobacco. These grapes have thinner skins and can be more challenging to cultivate, requiring specific growing conditions to reach their full potential.

When Merlot and Cabernet Franc are combined, the result is a well-balanced wine with various flavours and aromas. The blend often exhibits a Bordeaux wine's medium to full body, along with a smooth texture and moderate tannins. The specific flavour profile can vary depending on the proportions of each grape in the blend and the terroir and winemaking techniques employed.

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