Château Penin, Cabernet Franc Massale, 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

100% Cabernet Franc. The vines originate from a massal selection carried out in Pomerol using century-old vines. These old vines retain authentic genetics and produce a distinctive Cabernet Franc character and aromatics that clonal selections cannot replicate.

Winemaking

Yields are carefully controlled, and the grapes are harvested at full ripeness to highlight the variety's floral violet character. Fermentation takes place at low temperatures with gentle and delicate extraction. The wine undergoes a soft 15-day infusion-style maceration before ageing in stainless steel and concrete tanks, depending on the terroir, to preserve the pure aromatics of Cabernet Franc. Minimal racking is used to reinforce the wine's unique identity and maintain its aromatic expression.

Tasting Note

Lovely fine and well rounded tannins, a wine that avoids excess and offers excellent drinkability.

Food matching

Perfect with roast lamb, duck breast, mushroom dishes and mature hard cheeses.