Château Penin, Bordeaux Supérieur, Rouge Tradition, Bordeaux, France, 2020

Producer Profile

Château Penin is an exceptional winery in an exceptional site in Bordeaux, viewing the hill of Saint Emilion.

Stretching from the high plateau of Entre Deux Mers, to the gravelly terraces near the Dordogne, the vineyard's different “terroirs” are expressed according to the height, slopes and geology of each terrace. Patrick, representing the fifth generation of his family, took over management of the family estate in 1982, after several years of experience as an oenologist and viticulture consultant. Abandoning fruit production, he chose to devote all 15 cultivable hectares to viticulture, with a resolutely quality-focused approach.

Viticulture

Following agro-forestry principles, the goal is to preserve the soil, vines and landscapes before passing it to the next generation. Every year, local species of trees are replanted around the plots to boost biodiversity, cover crops are planted amongst vines to naturally fertilise the soil, and rather than use insecticides, they practice sexual confusion techniques in vineyards, a method that disrupts the mating process of harmful insects, like grape berry moths, by confusing them with the scent of female pheromones. This cuvée is from a single terroir, with vines coming from gravel and sandy soil from the quaternary era. Relatively young vines around 20 years old are surrounded by old trees planted by their grand father.

Winemaking

Cold pre-fermentation maceration to slowly extract aromas. Slow fermentation at low temperature with a 18 day maceration. Long aging in concrete tanks (2 years) and 12 month extra aging in bottle.

Tasting Note

Full-bodied wine, round and fleshy without aggressiveness on the fruit. The final is easy and elegant. Typical of its gravelly terroir which makes it different from the other Bordeaux Supérieur wines. This has an appealing bouquet of violet, dark berries, strawberries and spring flowers. Nicely balanced and medium-bodied, it’s pure and vibrant, with a juicy core of fruit and powdery tannins.

Food Matching

Ideal with poultry and vegetables, mixed grills and summer salads.